Famine haunts stadium

Famine haunts stadium

JAKARTA: "Where can we get food around here?" was the
common question asked by visitors and journalists alike at the
Bung Karno Indoor Stadium.

To their disappointment, they all got the same reply. "There
are no food stalls around here. You'll have quite a walk in front
of you if you want something to eat."

The organizers of the 2004 Thomas and Uber Cups have proved
themselves to be extraordinarily efficient in doing up the
stadium and its surroundings, which, unfortunately for the hunger
afflicted, includes the banning of street food vendors from the
complex.

The policy has left spectators and journalists in the lurch,
with not even a simple snack to be found. The situation has been
exacerbated by the fact that the organizers have failed to
provide any restaurants or cafeterias.

"We will be covering the event for about 10 days, from noon
until late at night. We can't go on like this, it's not healthy,"
a journalist said.

"I'm dying of hunger," another journalist added plaintively.
-- JP