The Vice President of Indonesia, Jusuf Kalla, believes the 18th Asian Games next month will display the spirit and energy of the host country both on and off the sports field.
Speaking at the Asian Games Torch Relay concert on Wednesday in the grounds of the ancient Prambanan Temple, Mr Kalla said the lighting of the torch was symbolic for the whole country.
The torch for the upcoming relay was lit from a cauldron containing the fire from two flames – the Asian Games flame brought from New Delhi, India, and Indonesia’s “Eternal Flame” from Mrapen in Central Java.
“The fire from Indonesia symbolises the spirit of the Indonesian people,” said the Vice President. “This spirit will help us rise at the Asian Games, not only in the sports competitions but also in the organisation of the Games.
“In exactly one month’s time, on August 18, we will hold the Opening Ceremony in Jakarta – 56 years after we last organised the Asian Games in 1962. This is a precious moment for Indonesia to host the Asian Games for a second time.”
Mr Kalla added that the 18th Asian Games would display three qualities of modern Indonesia.
“It will show our capability in building infrastructure and sports venues,” he said. “It will show our ability to organise such an important event, and it will prove our strength and dedication to sport. Let’s combine these three things to make a successful Asian Games.”
The flame for the 18th Asian Games was lit in New Delhi – birthplace of the Olympic Council of Asia’s premier sports event in 1951 – on Sunday, and was brought back to the Indonesian Air Force base in Yogyakarta on Tuesday morning.
The Indonesian fire was collected from Mrapen’s eternal flame at dawn on Wednesday and transported to Prambanan Temple – the biggest Hindu temple in South East Asia dating back to 850 AD.
The torch relay will begin on Thursday morning from the palace in Yogyakarta and will travel through 54 cities in 18 provinces on an 18,000km journey around the vast archipelago before arriving at the presidential palace in Jakarta on August 17 – one day before the Opening Ceremony.
The 18th Asian Games will run from August 18 to September 2 and feature over 11,000 athletes from 45 National Olympic Committees in 40 sports, 67 disciplines and 465 events. The Games will be co-hosted for the first time in history, by Jakarta and Palembang, capital of South Sumatra province.
