Streets lined with cheering fans

Muhammad Uzair, Palembang

Thousands of Palembang people came out to cheer as the torch was brought to the Sriwijaya Stadium where the cauldron was lit to mark the opening of the National Games here on Thursday.

About 630 runners were involved in the torch relay, which started at the municipality office building and proceeded along 11 of the city's main roads over a total distance of 20 kilometers.

The torch had been housed at the municipality offices for a day after arriving in Palembang following a two-week trip covering 779 kilometers and encompassing 13 regencies in the province since Aug. 21.

Twelve cars accompanied the torch bearers, with local people enthusiastically cheering on the runners.

Eka, from Kertapati, said that witnessing the torch relay was the experience of a lifetime.

"I'm very happy. This is probably the only time I will ever see anything like this. I really like Rimau," she said, referring to the Games mascot.

Rimau is a Sumatran tiger.

Some of the torch bearers were decked out in Rimau costumes.

"I've got to get plenty of photos as these games really make us proud," Eka said, clutching her camera.

The relay resulted in traffic jams on many main roads in the city, including Jl. Ahmad Yani, Jl. Kh. Wahid Hasyim and Jl. Demang, and at the Jakabaring intersection.

Syukri, 58, said that he had been stuck for an hour in a traffic jam.

"It doesn't bother me, though. It's all in a good cause," he said good-naturedly.

He added that traffic congestion had been common over the past three days.