Zakki Hakim
\nThe Jakarta Post
\nJakarta<\/p>\n
Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso officiated at the soft opening on
\nSaturday of the Sports Mall in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, and
\nsigned the first of 83 spots on the Sports Walk of Fame that
\nstretches along the corridors of the mall.<\/p>\n
The Sports Mall concept combines sports facilities with a
\nshopping center. It covers 32,000 square meters, of which 15,000
\nsquare meters is devoted to an international-standard basketball
\nhall. The rest houses commercial outlets, the rent from which
\nwill be used to maintain the basketball hall.<\/p>\n
The controversial mall, built by PT Satria Mahaka, is located
\nin a residential area and surrounded by 600 houses.<\/p>\n
Edi, 38, a resident who lives a block away from the mall, told
\nThe Jakarta Post that he was disappointed to see that the mall
\nhad finally been built, despite the residents' complaints.<\/p>\n
\"We would have preferred to have an open space rather than a
\ncommercial building,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Edi referred to the possibility of environmental damage, heavy
\ntraffic congestion and an influx of street vendors and thugs, who
\nusually are to be found in the vicinities of shopping centers.<\/p>\n
Residents have long protested the construction of the mall as
\nthe land was supposed to have been zoned for general and social
\npurposes. They brought their case to court only to lose to the
\ndeveloper.<\/p>\n
\"Since we lost in court, we have had to accept the results,\"
\nEdi said.<\/p>\n
Sutiyoso, who is also chairman of the Indonesian Basketball
\nAssociation, said in his speech that he was aware that the
\nresidents were unhappy.<\/p>\n
He argued that Indonesia needed such a facility -- which he
\nclaimed was the best in Southeast Asia -- and hoped the
\nperformance of the country's national squad would be boosted.<\/p>\n
Otje Sumarauw, marketing manager for the mall, said the soft
\nopening would be followed by a grand opening in January along
\nwith a marathon signing of the Sports Walk of Fame, which will
\nhave 83 spots for internationally recognized athletes, including
\nbadminton legend Rudy Hartono and former tennis star Yayuk
\nBasuki.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/zakki-hakim-1447899208",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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