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)

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