PON flame lighting to echo 1992 Olympics

JAKARTA (JP): The 14th National Games Organizing Committee promised yesterday to present the best opening ceremony ever, with the lighting of the Games flame a reenactment of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics spectacle.

Kusnan Ismukanto, a committee official for ceremonial affairs, told reporters yesterday that the country's 51-year-old archery legend Donald Pandiangan, nicknamed Robin Hood, has been named to light the cauldron at the opening ceremony on Sept. 9.

Donald, the four-times Southeast Asian Games men's individual gold medalist from 1977 to 1983, will aim at the cauldron with a flaming arrow from a distance of 20 meters.

"The reason for choosing archery was because the sport is the symbol of the Senayan sports complex," Kusnan said.

Donald, now a national coach, pipped his strongest contender and protege, Nurfitriyana Lantang, for the job.

"It is my honor to take part in the opening ceremony of the country's biggest sporting event," said Donald, who was told of his selection for the special job two weeks ago.

Donald will receive the flame from former star runners Purnomo and Emma Tahapary. The sprinters will jointly hold the torch for a lap on the Senayan stadium track.

Kusnan said that another eight former sporting greats have been appointed to carry the National Games flag into the arena.

They are men's spiker Edi Witoko, former All England men's doubles champion Ade Chandra, men's judoka Perry Pantouw, former national football team captain Ronny Pattinasarani, former national women's volleyball team captain Olce Rumaropen, women's diver Myrna Sukasah, women's archer Leona Manurung and former women's middle-distance runner Caroline Reuwpasa.

Asia's bodybuilding champion Ade Rai will read the athlete's pledge.

The ceremony, which will be attended by President Soeharto, will include a range of dances by thousands of students. The choreographer is Sentot S. from the Jakarta Art Institute. Their configurations are expected to include the state's Garuda Pancasila mascot and the welcome greeting Selamat Datang.

A choir of 2,500 high school students will also participate.

The military will also perform, by fielding their music corps and parachuting team.

Kusnan, who is also head of the Jakarta Education and Culture Office, said that the committee has mobilized 30,000 students to attend the opening ceremony.

"The students have practiced for the ceremony in their respective schools. As of today, they have rehearsed five times," he said.

Kusnan guaranteed that the Senayan stadium, the venue for the opening ceremony, will be filled to its capacity of 100,000. (yan)