SE Asian Games launch to cost Rp 300 million
JAKARTA (JP): The 19th SEA Games consortium expects to spend Rp 300 million (US$125,000) on next week's launch of the biennial event to be held in October.
Games organizing committee spokesman Ishadi SK said yesterday that about 70 percent of the budget would be spent on a 50-minute entertainment package from GSP Production, owned by Guruh Soekarnoputra.
The March 14 launch at the Senayan Indoor Tennis Stadium will be aired live from 7.30 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. by state-owned TVRI and five private channels. About 600 radio stations will also broadcast it.
Vice President Try Sutrisno is expected to attend.
GSP spokeswoman Dessy said 40 dancers, 10 cheerleaders and some famous artists, including Aning Katamsi, a singer, would perform at the launch.
The Games mascot, Hanoman, the white-haired half-monkey knight which symbolizes never-say-die spirit, and Games logo will be inaugurated at the launch.
Eleven skydivers from the Indonesian Aero Sports Federation will carry the flags of the 10 participating countries and the Games.
The SEA Games, from Oct. 11 to Oct. 19, will be the third hosted by Indonesia, which staged them in 1973 and 1987.
Ishadi said the consortium was expecting to receive 30 percent, Rp 97 billion (US$40.4 million), of its budget from sponsorship.
"We expect to get cash from sponsorship deals, ticket selling and other activities, which are approved by the government," he said.
Ishadi said all TV and radio stations were expected to broadcast the Games jingle everyday and newspapers were expected to publish Games news.
"We will also start selling Games merchandise this month. This could be pins, hats, T-shirts and mascot dolls," he said.
Guruh, who will choreograph the opening ceremony with the State Minister of Administrative Reforms TB Silalahi, has composed the Games' hymn and march.
Training
Games training executive director Djoko Pramono said 1,124 athletes had gathered at Senayan for centralized training.
"We're able to gather them here on March 1 as expected although there were some absentees but they don't influence our training," he said.
Only 17 of the team's 32 water polo players have arrived because the Indonesian Swimming Federation is still processing their training applications.
Djoko said the water polo players had urged him to accommodate them at the Army's Special Forces headquarters at Cijantung or at the Marine headquarters at Cilandak, both in South Jakarta.
One of the 40 fencers has not joined the program.
Final selection for the national squad has been moved forward to May 1, following a decision by coaches.
Djoko said he would respect the decision of the Indonesian Tennis Association if it wanted to field juniors at the Games because of Yayuk Basuki's plan to make the world's top 20.
"The association must consider fielding Yayuk in the event or rely on the juniors. Whatever its decision, it's not a problem," he said.
On 1995 SEA Games gold medalist Ruwiyati, who is suffering osteoporosis and is banned from training, Djoko said: "So far, her physical condition is improving but the doctors are yet to say that she is healthy."
Ruwiyati, winner of the 10,000 meter and marathon golds, will have a medical test in May. (yan)