Flag-raisers steal medal winners limelight

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.