KL Games picks fire ball to ignite cauldron

JAKARTA (JP): Kuala Lumpur appears close to realizing its ambition to create the most spectacular opening ceremony in Southeast Asian (SEA) Games' history.

Bernama news agency reported on Wednesday the organizers announced they would use a fire ball rather than a torch to ignite cauldron.

The fire ball will have to travel some 200 meters in less than a minute to light up the cauldron during the ceremony, which is scheduled to be opened by the Malaysian king, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, on Sept. 8.

Mohd Zainal Juni of the Games Secretariat told Bernama the opening ceremony -- which will be held simultaneously in Kuala Lumpur, Johor Baharu and Penang -- will use the concept of "a fire ball, a running ball on a cable ..." to ignite the cauldron.

The torch will be carried from downtown Merdeka Square, 16 kilometers away from the stadium, and pass along Jl. Tugu, Jl. Parlimen and the Kuala Lumpur-Seremban Highway before turning into Bukit Jalil.

Zainal said five runners would then take turns carrying the torch during the last two kilometers to the National Stadium.

The last runner will light up the mini-cauldron to start the opening cereomony.

Spectators will be treated to a fiery display as the fire ball travels toward the main cauldron, which will remain lighted until the closing ceremony on Sept. 17. The closing ceremony will only take place at the National Stadium.

Zainal said some 3,000 students would take part in the opening ceremony, presenting various forms of martial arts and drum performances.

Other spectacular displays will be the parading of the SEA Games colors, parachutists and a 2001-member choir. A fireworks display will also be held. (yan)