Clouds disrupt Games torch-lighting ceremony

JAKARTA (JP): Men can only plan, God decides. And so it was during the SEA Games torch lighting ceremony at the ASEAN Secretariat on Jl. Sisingamangaraja, South Jakarta, yesterday.

The plan to use a magnifying glass to light the torch was scrapped after the sun stayed hidden behind clouds during the ceremony, although rays began peaking through after the formalities.

Guests waited nearly 40 minutes for the main feature while the Gita Nusantara Chorus performed.

The Api Hanoman dance, symbolizing the spirit of strength and honesty in competition, created by Yogyakarta-based choreographer Bagong Kussudiardja, was next on the agenda.

Bagong, who celebrated his 69th birthday yesterday, briefed his dancers to perform the dance's alternate scenario, to accommodate the change of plans, in the final minutes.

Then, the Games mascot Hanoman, the white-haired, half-monkey knight, appeared with a torch in his right hand, flanked by 20 other dancers dressed in monkey costumes.

The torch, which was said to be lit during the general rehearsal Wednesday, was handed over to Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono Isman.

About 11.05 a.m., Hayono -- with the ASEAN Deputy Secretary- General Immanuel Robert Inkirawang and 19 long-haired girls from the Magelang regency, Central Java -- lit the mini cauldron.

Indonesia's former sports minister R. Maladi, accompanied by the Games' organizing committee chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar, ignited the Games torch from the mini cauldron and gave it to the girls.

Representatives of 10 participating countries -- Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia -- then proceeded to sign the SEA Games plaques.

Wismoyo then presented the torch to the organizers' deputy for ceremonies Putera Astaman who later handed the torch to former sprinter Purnomo Yudhi and 20 runners who relayed the torch to the South Jakarta mayoralty.

Wismoyo said: "I think that's what God wants. The original Ramayana epic doesn't recognize a magnifying glass. Hanoman must light the torch."

"I was very nervous because the organizers hadn't anticipated a change in ceremony," he said. "I felt a bit embarrassed in front of the other NOC representatives."

Bagong, who created the dance in 10 days, said: "I noticed that the organizers were very confused today and I just told my dancers to perform and bring the torch."

Hayono said he was not let down by the change of plan.

"I'm not disappointed at all because every ceremony must encounter some troubles. Luckily, the organizers were able to keep the ceremony going."

The torch will be relayed from the South Jakarta mayoralty to City Hall today, starting about 1.30 p.m. after Friday's mass prayer.

Runners from participating countries will relay the torch along Jl. Rasuna Said -- which will be closed temporary from 2.45 p.m. -- where the organizers have set up 10 huts representing the countries.

Sixteen cabinet ministers and representatives of participating countries' embassies are expected to relay the torch along Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan before it enters City Hall.

Tickets

More than 1,500 tickets for the soccer final have been booked, a member of the organizers' secretariat staff, Tadjudin Tandjung, said.

Members of the public still have time to change their SEA Games stickers -- which can be obtained when paying telephone, electricity and water bills -- with tickets for free-of-charge matches.

Tadjudin said soccer, volleyball and badminton were the most popular sports for spectators.

Based on the latest data on Oct. 8, tickets for soccer matches on Oct. 5 and Oct. 7 were sold out.

More than 500 tickets for badminton's opening match in the 700-seat Senayan badminton hall have been prebooked.

Tadjudin said members of the public who do not have stickers can still enter the venues if seats are available. (yan)