Bars gear up for World Cup

Musthofid The Jakarta Post Jakarta

As soccer-crazed Indonesians look enthusiastically forward to the kick-off of the 2002 World Cup, even without the presence of Indonesian squad in it, Jakarta-based bars and cafes are seeking to lure guests with special attractions.

All 64 matches can be watched on RCTI television -- either live or delayed -- as the only local TV station that has the rights to broadcast the World Cup, which is being cohosted by South Korea and Japan.

During earlier World Cups, Indonesian television stations shared the rights and had their own slots for the 64 matches.

More television stations meant that viewers had more choices in watching the mathces as two stations could broadcast two different matches at the same time.

"Actually, we have asked other stations if they wanted to buy and broadcast some of the matches. But none of them seemed interested this time around," said RCTI spokesman Teguh Juwarno.

"With RCTI being having the sole rights, the matches will not be shown on foreign channels such as ESPN and Star Sports," he added.

One of the cafes, News Cafe, has launched a program which it calls "Escape from the Office to Watch the World Cup Live," at its outlet in Kemang, South Jakarta.

Unlike previous World Cups, which were staged in Europe or in the Americas, the 2002 World Cup matches will mostly be played during the afternoon or evening Jakarta time.

"We are ready to provide a center for those who want to escape from their offices to watch the games live on TV," Antonius Gunawan, News Cafe director, said on Tuesday.

A program features lucky draws and a free soft drink with tickets being Rp 25,000 (US$2.8) each. The ticket price increases to Rp 50,000 for the semifinals and Rp 100,000 for the finals.

News Cafe, which can accommodate up to 500 revelers, is among 16 bars and cafes in Jakarta that have entered into an arrangement with RCTI. This arrangement, according to Teguh, allows the venues to switch on its channel for the World Cup matches under a number of terms and conditions.

"They should co-operate with at least one of our sponsors and sponsors outside ours are not allowed," Teguh told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

"This is to protect our sponsors. Cafes could switch on to RCTI and use sponsors other than ours. That would be unfair to us and our sponsors, who have spent a lot of money on the program," he said.

During its live programs, RCTI will run some footage showing the cafes and bars.

There will be 45 live matches, with the remaining 19 being aired after midnight.

While News Cafe will relay live all of the matches, the Hard Rock Cafe will only have ten matches. "One opening match, four in the second stage, two in the quarters, two in the semifinals and the final," Moses Anthony, the duty manager, told the Post.

The Hard Rock Cafe has its own way of luring the visitors.

Moses said that they were holding a food promotion for Korean and Japanese cuisine. A number of Vega machines for guests to play soccer on are also being provided.

Unlike News Cafe, the Hard Rock Cafe has free entry. To control the intake, the management has recommended visitors to book seats in advance.