SEAG to spend Rp 6b on ceremonies

SEAG to spend Rp 6b on ceremonies

JAKARTA (JP): The organizing committee plans to spend Rp 6
billion (US$2.5 million) on the opening, torch lighting and
closing ceremonies of the SEA Games here in October.

Putera Astaman, the official in charge of ceremonies, said
yesterday that the opening ceremony, which would involve about
14,300 students, would cost as much as last September's National
Games' ceremonies. He said that only 3,300 students would appear
in the closing ceremony.

"The National Sports Council's chairman (Wismoyo Arismunandar)
has asked us to present an impressive performance with a limited
budget," he said.

Putera quoted Wismoyo as saying that the public should not
compare the ceremonies here and at the 1995 SEA Games in Chiang
Mai, Thailand.

"Their budget was much higher and the stadium was smaller,"
Putera said.

The 700th Anniversary Stadium can only accommodate 40,000
spectators while Senayan Main Stadium can hold 120,000 people.

Putera said the opening ceremony would emphasize national
traditional dances and the closing ceremony would accentuate the
close relationship among the SEA Games participants.

The organizers plan to light the Games torch by sunlight at
the Borobudur temple in Magelang, Central Java, instead of
lighting it from the permanent flame in Mrapen, Grobogan, Central
Java.

The torch will be lit using a huge magnifying glass on Sep. 27
at around 10.00 a.m. at the ancient Buddhist temple 40 kilometers
northwest of Yogyakarta.

The torch-lighting ceremony will follow a Ramayana dance
performance at Prambanan, a Hindu temple 17 kms northeast of
Yogyakarta.

The performance will focus on Hanoman, a white-haired half-
monkey knight. Hanoman, which symbolizes never-say-die spirit, is
the Games mascot.

Putera said the organizers would listen to a presentation
early next month from State Minister for Administrative Reforms
TB Silalahi and Guruh Sukarno Putra, a well-known artist and
youngest son of former president Sukarno.

They will choreograph the three ceremonies.

The organizers will attend a presentation today from a French
expert on fireworks. (yan)