Officials in Indonesia were forced to look for an alternative sporting venue for 3x3 basketball, they claimed, due to inflated rental costs imposed by the venue operator for the Games scheduled to take place between August 6 and 12. 

"However, due to these budgetary concerns and limited time available to find an alternative venue, it is with regret that ANOC accepted the decision and request of the LOC," organisers said in a statement.

3x3 basketball, which had made its debut on the Olympic programme at Tokyo 2020, was one of two additional sports, along with air badminton, that were chosen by the Indonesians to feature at Bali 2023. 

The remaining sports on the programme comprise the 10 mandatory sports and two additional sports selected by ANOC and are due to be held at four clusters in Nusa Dua, Jimbaran, Kuta and Canggu.

"ANOC and the LOC (Local Organising Committee) are disappointed for the athletes and NOCs who had qualified in 3x3 basketball and regret they will not be able to compete in Bali," the statement said. 

"However, both parties are unanimous that the decision was necessary to ensure the LOC could honour the core principle of hosting the ANOC World Beach Games sustainably and within a reasonable budget."

There had been no 3x3 basketball qualification events held for Bali 2023, with qualification scheduled to have been based on rankings from regular season events.

The sport featured in the inaugural edition of the ANOC World Beach Games at Doha in 2019 when the competition was held at Mission Beach in Qatar's capital.

Russia won the men's event and France the women's.

The build up to Bali 2023 has so far been overshadowed by a row over the participation of Israel.

Bali Governor Wayan Koster has claimed that the country will not be competing at its Games, something denied by ANOC. 

Earlier this year, FIFA removed its men’s Under-20 World Cup from Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation and a supporter of Palestine which does not have formal relations with Israel.

It followed local objections to Israel taking part and Koster is refusing to back down on his opposition to them featuring at the World Beach Games.

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