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)