PON torch relay begins its journey

JAKARTA (JP): With only 10 days to go, the torch relay to mark the 15th National Games (PON) in East Java kicked off on Wednesday in some cities across the country.

National Sports Council (KONI) chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar lit the flame on Wednesday evening at the eternal fire reservoir at Sendangharjo village in Bojonegoro, about 90 kilometers west of Surabaya. PON will officially be opened at the Delta Stadium in Sidoarjo by Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri on June 19.

The torch was passed to seven deputies of East Java Governor Imam Utomo in a relay which ended at Grahadi building. It will be carried to Pendopo (hall) Sidoarjo one day before the opening.

PON spokesman Suprawoto said 1992 Olympic Games gold medalist Alan Budikusuma would get the honor of carrying the flame before the cauldron was lit. He will be accompanied by 26 top athletes from 26 provinces.

"Earlier, we asked Alan's wife Susi Susanti, who is also a 1992 Olympics gold medalist, to carry the torch, but we scrapped the plan as Susi is carrying her second child," he told Antara on Tuesday.

In Jakarta, Governor Sutiyoso said he hoped the torch would be able to encourage residents to give their support to the Jakarta contingent.

"I hope Jakartans are willing to go to Surabaya to support our athletes," he said after lighting the torch at the southern terrace of the National Monument (Monas).

The torch will pass through five mayoralties, covering a 130km-long route and involving some 950 runners.

In Bandung, West Java, Governor Nuriana lit the PON torch in front of the historical state building. The fire was ignited from the sun using an advanced technology developed by the Bandung Institute of Technology.

The torch was handed over to Amin Supriatna, a top cyclist from West Java in the 1970s, who was accompanied by nine other runners.

The relay will pass through the city of Bandung, Garut, Tasikmalaya, Ciamis to the provincial border, where the torch will be passed to other runners.

In Central Java, Governor Mardiyanto will light the torch on June 16 at the Mrapen eternal flame reservoir in Manggarmas village, Groboan regency.

A guard at Mrapen, Gunadi, said the fire reservoir had shifted to the east by about one meter, and the flame had weakened. He suggested the stone, which is in front of the reservoir's mouth, be removed to allow the fire to flare.

"I'm afraid the fire reservoir won't have a strong flame when the governor wants to light the torch. There should be some maintenance done to save the remaining flame," he said. (07/nvn/har/ivy)