Streets lined with cheering fans

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.