Flag-raisers steal medal winners limelight

Moch. N . Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post/Palembang

A group of spectators inside the judo hall broke into laughter as they watched a match attendant -- a boy assigned the task of raising one of the contingents' flags during the medal ceremony -- struggle with a the heavy flagpole.

The steel pole weighed some 10 kilograms, and it was as much as the boy, Rido, could do to raise it erect while the medal winners acknowledged the cheers of the spectators.

Rido gave an audible sigh after a the three-minute medal ceremony.

"That was really heavy," said 16-year-old student from a high school in Palembang.

"But I'm proud of being part of the Palembang National Games and to have been assigned to raise the flags. People look at the flags and see me. I'm at the center of attention for several minutes," he said gleefully.

His fellow flag-raiser, Darwin, said that he really enjoyed his task.

There are four flag attendants at the judo competition, which is being held in a hall owned by fertilizer firm PT Pusri Palembang.

They are part of the 1,500 volunteers recruited in the games' organizing committee. They come from various backgrounds, but the majority are students.

"We have assigned about 260 volunteers to take part in the medal ceremonies, including trumpeters and MCs," Sobri Halim told The Jakarta Post.

The volunteers, who according of Sobri will be paid get Rp 1.5 million each for their services during the games, are assigned to the different venues, some of which are located outside the town.

The games, which will run until Sept. 14, feature 41 sports.