Rp 6b more to make Games bigger splash<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): An extra Rp 6 billion (US$2.5 million) will be
\nspent to make the 19th SEA Games ceremonies more spectacular,
\norganizers said yesterday.<\/p>\n
Rudolph S Warouw, the organizing committee's secretary-
\ngeneral, said the committee had raised its budget from Rp 95
\nbillion to Rp 101 billion after its ceremonial and facilities
\ndepartments had submitted new plans.<\/p>\n
"With the old budget, we were afraid we couldn't present
\ninteresting performances," Rudolph said.<\/p>\n
The committee gets its money from the Games consortium,
\nchaired by President Soeharto's son Bambang Trihatmodjo.<\/p>\n
"It's impossible to stage an opening ceremony with only Rp 1
\nbillion," he said.<\/p>\n
The organizers had planned a modest performance, combining
\ntraditional dance and gymnastics, at the opening and closing
\nceremonies.<\/p>\n
Up to 14,300 people, including 6,000 dances and 6,000
\nstudents, will take part in the opening ceremony on Oct. 11.<\/p>\n
But only 3,000 people, including 1,200 dances, will take part
\nin the closing ceremony on Oct. 19.<\/p>\n
Rudolph said these ceremonies and the Games torch-lighting
\nceremony, at the Borobudur temple, would cost Rp 10 billion, Rp 4
\nbillion more than the initial budget had allowed.<\/p>\n
The Games torch will be lit at the temple, about 40 kms
\nnorthwest of Yogyakarta, using a huge magnifying glass. The torch
\nwill carried in relay to Jakarta.<\/p>\n
"Rp 10 billion (for the ceremony) is the maximum budget. We'll
\ntry our best to minimize costs," Rudolph said.<\/p>\n
He urged sporting organizations to list any equipment that
\nwould have to be imported for the Games so that organizers would
\nhave more time to buy it.<\/p>\n
Venues<\/p>\n
Rudolph said the facilities department wanted to raise its
\nbudget from Rp 7 billion to Rp 9 billion because the Senayan
\nSports Complex needed renovating.<\/p>\n
The committee's competition deputy, M. Hindarto, said a new
\nhockey field and two squash courts would have to be built at the
\ncomplex.<\/p>\n
"Construction of the hockey field is planned to start next
\nmonth and must be finished in September," Hindarto said.<\/p>\n
"All venues, especially their restrooms need renovation. We
\ndon't want to be embarrassed by the restrooms, do we," he said.<\/p>\n
The squash courts are expected to be built under the 100,000-
\nseat Senayan Main Stadium because the International Sports Center
\nIndonesia in Ciputat, South Jakarta, where local players usually
\ntrain, is inadequate for international events.<\/p>\n
Hindarto said air conditioners would be installed in the
\nBasketball Hall and three gymnastics halls. Many athletes have
\ncomplained about the heat inside these halls.<\/p>\n
The floor of the Senayan Badminton Hall on Jl. Asia Afrika
\nwill also be renovated.<\/p>\n
"Many players have suffered knee injuries while playing at the
\nhall. We're going to fix it," Hindarto said.<\/p>\n
The velodrome in Rawamangun, East Jakarta, is being renovated.
\n(yan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/rp-6b-more-to-make-games-bigger-splash-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}