For those looking for more traditional Bali, despite its potential, is something of a backwater on the sporting map. Who would not want to visit the island to watch or participate in a golf tournament or tennis that attracted the world's best? As I type this, Singapore hosts its own golf Open but no disrespect to the state of the city of Bali offers much more glitzy shopping malls and an efficient public transport system.
F1 Singapore Grand Prix rightly draws kudos as drivers race through the brightly lit seats on the only night race on the calendar. But then what? More increases without high soul essential to marketing that drives the competition.
Bali could offer so much more. With a backdrop of volcanoes and sawahs the likes of Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton driving skills would be tested in the spiritual heart of mystical charm of the island. It would merely provide one of the major sporting arenas in the world.
The English Premier League is big business and is the largest companies that share the null Asia. Clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United have made Asia a vital part of their pre-season for several years, but Indonesia, cue cliché of the largest country in Southeast Asia, is the most often overlooked .
Bali, with its best hotels and classified several international connections, is well placed to take advantage of this interest. Ok, it lacks a stadium which is obviously a key consideration, but look up. For now, we see the players bored milling round identikit five star hotels in congested, polluted cities in search miserable waiting for the next flight back.
Glue them in a hotel in Nusa Dua with the promise of quality pool time to the beach, and the opportunity to flex their six packs for an adoring public, and chances are high , frowns will turn to smiles and groans become grins.
Bali is no stranger to hosting international. Timor Leste entertained Hong Kong in qualifying for the World Cup a few years ago in the stadium in Gianyar, but as you can imagine with interest two low-profile teams was low at the stadium in ruins.
For several years, investment in the island's infrastructure was dismal with a recent toll road and underpass being built in response to growing demand, but make a better impression on costumes and talking heads attending a conference next year.
Bali has more benefit many other countries lack. It is part of the largest island nation in the world. The scope for maritime leisure remains scandalously ignored. People who own yachts are rich. They should be. Stay afloat is quite expensive before you factor in the costs of being on the water.
America's Cup and the Sydney Hobart are two of the highest profile races in the sailing calendar. But imagine a race from Bali to Flores then take to Gilis Lombok and of course the prehistoric Komodo dragons, ending somewhere like Labuan Bajo. Think of the impact this would have on the local economy as well as providing a boost much needed for the islands of eastern Indonesia.
Places like Singapore and Thailand have shown that over the years, an investment in sports infrastructure may pay dividends on the line the number of visitors increased and a raised profile.