National Games flame arrives in Jakarta

National Games flame arrives in Jakarta

JAKARTA (JP): The National Games flame was carried into
Jakarta yesterday after being handed over earlier in front of the
University of Indonesia in Depok, West Java.

The flame, which is taken from a natural gas source in Mrapen,
Grobogan, Central Java, was handed over by West Java Deputy
Governor HMA Sampurna to Jakarta's Deputy Governor for People's
Welfare RS Museno in Depok. It reached South Jakarta at 10:45
a.m.

Thousands of uniformed students queued along the route to see
the flame, waving small red-and-white flags and yelling "Api
PON... api PON".

The flame began its journey on Aug. 23 in Central Java. It
then made its way to Semarang, Surabaya and then back to
Yogyakarta. From there the flame went to West Java before
entering the capital, which will host the 14th National Games for
the eighth consecutive time.

The Games, beginning today until Sept. 20, will be opened by
President Soeharto this afternoon at Senayan Stadium. The
country's 27 provinces will take part in the quadrennial event,
which this year is offering 509 gold, 509 silver and 599 bronze
medals. A total of 4,915 athletes will take part in the Rp 28.5
billion (US$12 million) Games.

From South Jakarta, the flame was carried by a group of
runners to Kalibata Mall, where it was handed over to another
group of runners who carried it to the East Jakarta mayoralty.

Games mascot

Eight red-and-white flags, eight National Games flags and
eight flags featuring the Games Mat Bondol mascot were carried on
three trucks during the parade around the capital.

The flame was given to another group on Jl. Yos Sudarso, the
border between East and North Jakarta. From Ancol, the flame
headed to the Fatahilah Museum on the border of North and Central
Jakarta to be brought to City Hall.

Upon arriving at Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan, government
dignitaries including Minister of Finance Mar'ie Muhammad,
Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro joined the
group of runners.

State Minister of Food Ibrahim Hasan and Minister of
Transmigration Siswono Yudhohusodo joined the group as they
approached City Hall.

State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono Isman was
the last minister to join before all the runners were received by
Jakarta Governor Surjadi Soedirdja, who is also the chairman of
the organizing committee.

The torch, which was kept at City Hall last night, will be
delivered by the last group of runners to the Senayan sports
complex at 2:42 p.m. Veteran runners Purnomo and Emma Tahapary
will be the final runners, ending the last 54.4-km leg.

The runners will carry the torch together into the stadium
before lighting the arrow of archer Donald Pandiangan, who will
light the cauldron this evening. (yan/byi)

Editorial -- Page 4

Athletic row -- Page 13