Meanwhile, the northeastern city of Harbin is one of four candidate cities bidding to host the first Winter Olympic Youth Games 2012. The other three are in northern Europe.

Awarding the first Beach Games to Bali was one of Ahmad's suggestions for helping the ailing Indonesian island's economy after two high-profile bombings in 2002 and 2006.

"Asians want more Games," said HH Sheikh Issa Bin Rashid Al-Khalifa, president of the NOC of Bahrain. "I think the Beach Games will be very successful. Many people love it. I was surprised when I saw the spectators (at previous beach volleyball competitions),how much they were watching it."

The new regional sports calendar drew applause from the heads and representatives of 205 NOCs in attendance.

Ahmad said the proposed Martial Arts Games could end up being jointly held by Africa and Asia.

"We will have it in Asia, but we will discuss it with Africa. If they will accept the concept (of having another Afro-Asia Games) and the rules and everything, then this will be the expression we will use."

The first Afro-Asia Games was in Hyderabad, India, in Oct 2003.