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PON gears up with torch relay
With the National Games in East Kalimantan three days away, organizers on Wednesday kicked off the torch relay, which will make its way through the three host cities of Tarakan, Samarinda and Balikpapan
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With the National Games in East Kalimantan three days away, organizers on Wednesday kicked off the torch relay, which will make its way through the three host cities of Tarakan, Samarinda and Balikpapan.
"The torch relay is aimed at promoting the Games, especially in a vast province like East Kalimantan," National Sports Council (KON) deputy chairman Hendardji Supandji said Tuesday.
Hendardji said organizers were finalizing the preparation of the venues and other support facilities.
"We've prepared transportation connecting different Games venues as well as accommodation for athletes.
"We have also readied some power generators to help cover power supply for the Games," he said.
He said the karate venue and badminton courts were still being prepared.
"We're working on it," he said.
Hendardji said KON was still waiting for the names of athletes taking part in shooting and boxing events.
"We haven't received the names yet from the boxing and shooting bodies, but we'll wait until (Tuesday) tonight," he said.
More than 6,000 athletes from 33 provinces across the country will participate in the quadrennial sporting competition, which will feature 43 events. Some events, like paragliding, sport dance, roller-skating and marching band, are being re-introduced to the Games. Paragliding is being included after a 23-year absence, with athletes from North Sumatra, West Sumatra, Jakarta, Banten, West Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta, East Java, North Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, South Kalimantan and East Kalimantan taking part in the event.
Due to the lack of venues for the Games and the necessary qualifying rounds, organizers have held some events early before the Games cauldron is lit. Basketball matches started Tuesday. Soccer, rock climbing, volleyball and chess will begin Thursday. (nkn)
