Soccer stadium under renovation

JAKARTA: Bung Karno Stadium in Senayan, South Jakarta, will be closed for renovation for more than seven weeks beginning on Nov. 20, with its facilities brought up to standard for the Asian Cup soccer championships in 2007.

"All activities making use of the stadium will be stopped, including soccer matches organized by the Indonesian Soccer Association and other public activities, except for the three-day Christmas event at the end of the year," Asia Cup's task force chairman Djohar Arifin Husin was quoted by Antara news service as saying on Tuesday.

Djohar, who is also deputy for sports empowerment at the Office of the State Minister for Youth and Sports Affairs, said the Rp 80 billion (about US$8 million) renovation was scheduled for completion by June 2006.

Upgrading will include the tribune, which will be built to international standard, as well as facilities used by athletes and journalists. -- JP