Palembang gearing up for PON opening ceremony<\/p>\n
Moch. N. Kurniawan and Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Palembang<\/p>\n
The 16th National Games (PON) will be declared open by
\nPresident Megawati Soekarnoputri on Thursday, with a Rp 24
\n(US$2.5 million) billion ceremony that organizers promise will be
\nnothing short of spectacular.<\/p>\n
However, critics say the Games has been poorly organized and
\nthat facilities and human resources are not up to scratch.<\/p>\n
Event organizer Helmi Yahya, who is in charge of the opening
\nceremony, said on Tuesday that some 4,000 local, national and
\ninternational performers would entertain spectators at Jakabaring
\nstadium, here, for two-and-a-half hours.<\/p>\n
\"The ceremony will feature a laser show, a 'rocket man',
\nfireworks, dancing and singing,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"We have been working hard to ensure that the opening runs
\nwell.\"<\/p>\n
The appearance of well-known entertainers Nicky Astria, Ikke
\nNurjanah, Natasha, Maudy Kusnaedi and conductor Purwacaraka would
\nensure that spectators had a good time, he said.<\/p>\n
Helmi revealed that Eric Scott of the United States would
\nprovide drama and excitement by flying around the stadium with
\nthe assistance of a jetpack.<\/p>\n
The Games will run until Sept. 14, with around 7,000 athletes
\nfrom 30 provinces competing in 43 sports.<\/p>\n
Helmi said that 45 athletes from each province would be
\ninvolved in the ceremony.<\/p>\n
\"If all the athletes participated, the parade would take two
\nhours, while Ibu Megawati will only be present for two-and-a-half
\nhours,\" Helmi said.<\/p>\n
The remaining athletes will be seated in a special stand along
\nwith spectators.<\/p>\n
The proceedings will be aired live by state television station
\nTVRI and private station ANTV.<\/p>\n
Among criticism of the Games is the low standard of facilities
\nfor athletes, with one team reporting that a blackout occurred at
\nits place of accommodation.<\/p>\n
Although the opening ceremony is on Thursday, some sporting
\nevents have been underway since Monday.<\/p>\n
Athletes in soccer, basketball, volleyball, gymnastics and
\nparagliding have muscled their way into battle.<\/p>\n
Gymnastics has already released four golds, with Jakarta
\nscoring two, and Riau and North Sumatra, one apiece.<\/p>\n
Badminton, which lines up Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat,
\nwill kick off on Wednesday. So will competitions in diving and
\ntennis.<\/p>",
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