Clouds disrupt Games torch-lighting ceremony<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Men can only plan, God decides. And so it was
\nduring the SEA Games torch lighting ceremony at the ASEAN
\nSecretariat on Jl. Sisingamangaraja, South Jakarta, yesterday.<\/p>\n
The plan to use a magnifying glass to light the torch was
\nscrapped after the sun stayed hidden behind clouds during the
\nceremony, although rays began peaking through after the
\nformalities.<\/p>\n
Guests waited nearly 40 minutes for the main feature while the
\nGita Nusantara Chorus performed.<\/p>\n
The Api Hanoman dance, symbolizing the spirit of strength and
\nhonesty in competition, created by Yogyakarta-based choreographer
\nBagong Kussudiardja, was next on the agenda.<\/p>\n
Bagong, who celebrated his 69th birthday yesterday, briefed
\nhis dancers to perform the dance's alternate scenario, to
\naccommodate the change of plans, in the final minutes.<\/p>\n
Then, the Games mascot Hanoman, the white-haired, half-monkey
\nknight, appeared with a torch in his right hand, flanked by 20
\nother dancers dressed in monkey costumes.<\/p>\n
The torch, which was said to be lit during the general
\nrehearsal Wednesday, was handed over to Minister of Youth Affairs
\nand Sports Hayono Isman.<\/p>\n
About 11.05 a.m., Hayono -- with the ASEAN Deputy Secretary-
\nGeneral Immanuel Robert Inkirawang and 19 long-haired girls from
\nthe Magelang regency, Central Java -- lit the mini cauldron.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's former sports minister R. Maladi, accompanied by
\nthe Games' organizing committee chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar,
\nignited the Games torch from the mini cauldron and gave it to the
\ngirls.<\/p>\n
Representatives of 10 participating countries -- Brunei,
\nCambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore,
\nThailand, Vietnam and Indonesia -- then proceeded to sign the SEA
\nGames plaques.<\/p>\n
Wismoyo then presented the torch to the organizers' deputy for
\nceremonies Putera Astaman who later handed the torch to former
\nsprinter Purnomo Yudhi and 20 runners who relayed the torch to
\nthe South Jakarta mayoralty.<\/p>\n
Wismoyo said: \"I think that's what God wants. The original
\nRamayana epic doesn't recognize a magnifying glass. Hanoman must
\nlight the torch.\"<\/p>\n
\"I was very nervous because the organizers hadn't anticipated
\na change in ceremony,\" he said. \"I felt a bit embarrassed in
\nfront of the other NOC representatives.\"<\/p>\n
Bagong, who created the dance in 10 days, said: \"I noticed
\nthat the organizers were very confused today and I just told my
\ndancers to perform and bring the torch.\"<\/p>\n
Hayono said he was not let down by the change of plan.<\/p>\n
\"I'm not disappointed at all because every ceremony must
\nencounter some troubles. Luckily, the organizers were able to
\nkeep the ceremony going.\"<\/p>\n
The torch will be relayed from the South Jakarta mayoralty to
\nCity Hall today, starting about 1.30 p.m. after Friday's mass
\nprayer.<\/p>\n
Runners from participating countries will relay the torch
\nalong Jl. Rasuna Said -- which will be closed temporary from 2.45
\np.m. -- where the organizers have set up 10 huts representing the
\ncountries.<\/p>\n
Sixteen cabinet ministers and representatives of participating
\ncountries' embassies are expected to relay the torch along Jl.
\nMedan Merdeka Selatan before it enters City Hall.<\/p>\n
Tickets<\/p>\n
More than 1,500 tickets for the soccer final have been booked,
\na member of the organizers' secretariat staff, Tadjudin Tandjung,
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Members of the public still have time to change their SEA
\nGames stickers -- which can be obtained when paying telephone,
\nelectricity and water bills -- with tickets for free-of-charge
\nmatches.<\/p>\n
Tadjudin said soccer, volleyball and badminton were the most
\npopular sports for spectators.<\/p>\n
Based on the latest data on Oct. 8, tickets for soccer matches
\non Oct. 5 and Oct. 7 were sold out.<\/p>\n
More than 500 tickets for badminton's opening match in the
\n700-seat Senayan badminton hall have been prebooked.<\/p>\n
Tadjudin said members of the public who do not have stickers
\ncan still enter the venues if seats are available. (yan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/clouds-disrupt-games-torch-lighting-ceremony-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}