Press Release
AXN ‘Amazing Race Asia’ announces teams
MUMBAI: Asia’s very own, The Amazing Race Asia, reveals the ten teams selected to race around Asia and beyond for the grand US hundred thousand dollar prize. The inaugural The Amazing Race Asia, is slated for broadcast on Thursday, 9 November 2006, 11 pm, exclusively on AXN! Come join the ten pairs of adventurous and gutsy residents of Asia as they take part in the first-ever Asian edition of the four-time Emmy award winning reality-competition series, The Amazing Race!
The Amazing Race Asia reached a broad spectrum of people from various Asia countries, cultures and different walks of life since the call for participation that was made in February 2006. Some begged, some bragged, some even cried, just to attract the eyes of the selection committee. It was a tough process, but after much deliberation, a diverse group of contestants living in different parts of Asia, of various backgrounds and life experiences were thrown into the mix to outrun, outsmart and conquer in the race.
AXN has produced the award winning series Amazing Race within Asia. This is a multimillion dollar series that is produced by AXN Asia and has teams from across Asia competing. It is the first localized production of such a monumental scale and stature.
The teams will be traveling around Asia and beyond where language barriers, time constraints and foreign environments become too hot to handle.
Out of more than ten thousand applications from all over Asia an Indian team comprising of hunky male models Prashant Raj Sachdev & Sahil Shroff were chosen and they will compete against 9 teams from Asia to win that coveted prize of fame and money!
In a time where reality shows with international formats within India and relayed only in India are the talk of the town, Prashant and Sahil have gone where no other Indian has gone before, competing on an international platform to international as well as Indian audiences.
Host Allan Wu says, “The producers definitely took the time and did their homework to select the most diverse, entertaining, and controversial batch of contestants for our first season. Expect to see the usual tantrums and arguments between teams and teammates. Furthermore, expect to see clashes that you’ve never even seen on the US-version. Our contestants are from all over the region and not just one country so you are definitely going to see some major drama and rivalries.”
The Amazing Race Asia is an AXN original production. Ricky Ow, General Manager of SPE Networks – Asia says, “The participants are the key drivers of any challenge-reality show with the humor and drama that they create onscreen. Viewers will definitely not be disappointed by our selection of the contestants. They are a colorful and vibrant mix that will truly make The Amazing Race Asia an exceptional and really unique first-of-its-kind viewing experience for Asia viewers.”
The Amazing Race Asia promises to be a highly entertaining program not to be missed!
The Amazing Race Asia will be broadcast exclusively on AXN on the 9 November 2006.
TEAM PROFILE
Prashant and Sahil have been close buddies for the past five years from the commercial, movie and fashion capital of India, Mumbai. Anyone who takes a glance at these two will be tempted to do a second take and probably think of them as Bollywood hunks. Both are models on the fashion runway but that does not necessarily mean they lead boring lives punctuated with shoot after shoot or endless catwalks.
They hold other jobs as well. Prashant organizes events and Sahil works for his family’s business – and along the way, they find time to regularly work out in the gym and take interest in their active social lives as well. When Prashant first met Sahil’s sister five years ago, she kept telling him how similar he was to her brother. When both Prashant and Sahil finally met, they hit it off immediately and have been close friends since then.
While both acknowledge having similar traits and characteristics which led to a strong friendship, they gave insights to the differences in their personalities.
Sahil is more outgoing and spontaneous which is a trait much admired by Prashant. “I would rather do fifty things in a day,” says Sahil, “than do twenty.” Prashant, on the other hand, is more laid back and more patient. He would rather see things through before making a decision. Sahil describes Prashant as being “more accommodating”, and sees that trait as a good thing.
Prashant underscores the fact that the both of them balance each other out, saying. “The thing that I lack, he excels in.”
What they believe will stretch them far during the Race are compatibility and mutual understanding that they possess as close buddies. The ability to perform better under stress seems to be another secret that they believe will crown them the glory in the Race. They foresee one of them having the ability to maintain the calm and some measure of equilibrium when stress sets in.
Mental grit apart, having two guys in a team may prove to be an advantage when strength could be the ultimate factor in tackling physical challenges.
As the only team representing their country, national pride may just be the fuel needed to drive them towards their goal in winning The Amazing Race Asia.
Bali is full of memorable moments, and some of them involve animals. Temple monkeys tug at bags, beach dogs nap near sunbeds, and cats wander into cafés like they own the place. Most interactions are harmless, but a bite or scratch can change the day quickly, because you may need immediate medical care and follow-up treatment. This is where Bali travel insurance becomes more than a box to tick.
In this article, you will explore whether animal bite treatment is insured, the exclusions, and the steps to claim easily in Bali.
Why Animal Bites in Bali Need Special Attention
Bites are not only about the visible wound. Insurers and doctors both treat them as medical events that can pose an infection risk, especially when the bite breaks the skin.
A scratch that looks small in the moment can still lead to:
● A doctor’s examination and wound cleaning
● Medicines and dressings
● Follow-up consultations if the doctor advises observation or further care
From an insurance perspective, this matters because claims are usually assessed on medical necessity and documentation, not on how dramatic the injury appears in a photo.
How International Travel Insurance Looks at an Animal Bite
Most travel policies are built around emergency medical expenses for unexpected illness or accidental injury abroad. A bite or scratch usually fits the accidental injury bucket, but coverage is rarely blanket.
In many plans, the following may be considered if a doctor prescribes them and bills and medical notes support them:
● Consultation and outpatient treatment
● Emergency care and procedures, such as wound dressing or stitches, if clinically required
● Prescribed medicines and investigations
● Hospitalisation if the treating doctor confirms it is needed
Common Reasons Claims Get Reduced or Rejected
This is the part travellers often miss. Insurers usually do not deny claims because an animal was involved. Claims become difficult when the event looks avoidable, the reporting is delayed, or the paperwork is weak.
Avoidable-Risk Situations Insurers Scrutinise
Policies commonly exclude or limit claims linked to unsafe conduct or preventable exposure. For animal bites, scrutiny may increase if the incident appears connected to:
● Provoking, feeding, or trying to handle wild animals
● Ignoring warning signs at tourist spots
● Being intoxicated at the time of the incident
● Activities that a policy lists as excluded or restricted
The takeaway is simple: if your own description sounds like a risky choice rather than a sudden accident, the insurer may challenge it.
Delays, Missing Papers, and Policy Conditions
Even when your incident is genuinely accidental, claims can still stall due to basics such as:
● Not informing the insurer or assistance partner within the required time
● Missing itemised bills, prescriptions, or clinical notes
● No proof of travel dates or passport entry details when requested
● Submitting only pharmacy slips without a doctor’s consultation record
International travel insurance is paperwork-driven. If you document it well, you reduce the chance of avoidable back-and-forth.
What to Do If You Are Bitten or Scratched in Bali
Your health comes first, always. But a few sensible steps can protect your recovery and keep your insurance file clean.
Medical Steps That Help You and Your Claim
Act fast, stay calm, and get proper care before worrying about bills.
● Clean the wound promptly and seek medical care, even if it seems minor
● Follow the doctor’s advice, including follow-ups if recommended
● Avoid self-medicating in place of a clinical assessment, because insurers often ask for a doctor’s report
Claim Notes and Documents to Collect
Keep these handy; they’ll save time and avoid follow-up questions later.
● Doctor’s notes that mention the nature of injury, treatment given, and advised next steps
● Prescriptions and pharmacy invoices
● Itemised hospital or clinic bills
● A brief written note of where and when it happened, while it is still fresh in your mind
Final Word
Animal bites in Bali are not rare, and they are not always dramatic, which is exactly why travellers underestimate them. Many travel policies can cover bite-related medical treatment when it is accidental and medically necessary, but the outcome depends on your policy terms and the quality of your documentation. If you buy cover thoughtfully, keep the assistance number handy, and respond sensibly if an incident happens, you give yourself the best chance of both good medical care and a smoother claim experience.
