PON flame lighting to echo 1992 Olympics<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The 14th National Games Organizing Committee
\npromised yesterday to present the best opening ceremony ever,
\nwith the lighting of the Games flame a reenactment of the 1992
\nBarcelona Olympics spectacle.<\/p>\n
Kusnan Ismukanto, a committee official for ceremonial affairs,
\ntold reporters yesterday that the country's 51-year-old archery
\nlegend Donald Pandiangan, nicknamed Robin Hood, has been named to
\nlight the cauldron at the opening ceremony on Sept. 9.<\/p>\n
Donald, the four-times Southeast Asian Games men's individual
\ngold medalist from 1977 to 1983, will aim at the cauldron with a
\nflaming arrow from a distance of 20 meters.<\/p>\n
\"The reason for choosing archery was because the sport is the
\nsymbol of the Senayan sports complex,\" Kusnan said.<\/p>\n
Donald, now a national coach, pipped his strongest contender
\nand protege, Nurfitriyana Lantang, for the job.<\/p>\n
\"It is my honor to take part in the opening ceremony of the
\ncountry's biggest sporting event,\" said Donald, who was told of
\nhis selection for the special job two weeks ago.<\/p>\n
Donald will receive the flame from former star runners Purnomo
\nand Emma Tahapary. The sprinters will jointly hold the torch for
\na lap on the Senayan stadium track.<\/p>\n
Kusnan said that another eight former sporting greats have
\nbeen appointed to carry the National Games flag into the arena.<\/p>\n
They are men's spiker Edi Witoko, former All England men's
\ndoubles champion Ade Chandra, men's judoka Perry Pantouw, former
\nnational football team captain Ronny Pattinasarani, former
\nnational women's volleyball team captain Olce Rumaropen, women's
\ndiver Myrna Sukasah, women's archer Leona Manurung and former
\nwomen's middle-distance runner Caroline Reuwpasa.<\/p>\n
Asia's bodybuilding champion Ade Rai will read the athlete's
\npledge.<\/p>\n
The ceremony, which will be attended by President Soeharto,
\nwill include a range of dances by thousands of students. The
\nchoreographer is Sentot S. from the Jakarta Art Institute. Their
\nconfigurations are expected to include the state's Garuda
\nPancasila mascot and the welcome greeting Selamat Datang.<\/p>\n
A choir of 2,500 high school students will also participate.<\/p>\n
The military will also perform, by fielding their music corps
\nand parachuting team.<\/p>\n
Kusnan, who is also head of the Jakarta Education and Culture
\nOffice, said that the committee has mobilized 30,000 students to
\nattend the opening ceremony.<\/p>\n
\"The students have practiced for the ceremony in their
\nrespective schools. As of today, they have rehearsed five times,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Kusnan guaranteed that the Senayan stadium, the venue for the
\nopening ceremony, will be filled to its capacity of 100,000.
\n(yan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pon-flame-lighting-to-echo-1992-olympics-1447893297",
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