National Games to open on time despite troubles

Musthofid ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Samarinda, East Kalimantan   |  Sat, 07/05/2008 12:21 PM  |  Sports

After uncertainties due to delayed preparations, the 17th National Games (PON) opens Saturday at the new Palaran Stadium outside Samarinda.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is scheduled to officially open the two-week event, despite worries about possible political distractions amid some local opposition to his visit.

Promoters are concerned that only nine sponsors are signed up, despite having approached 350 potential backers. Many of the deals were settled only weeks or days before the opening ceremony.

Some workers were still finalizing repairs at the gateway to the stadium, about a 30 minute drive from downtown.

"We had been in doubt but are now convinced PON will be a success. We made a deal only four days before the event," said Glenn Noya, a representative from one of the nine sponsors, during a media conference at Swiss Bell Borneo Hotel on Friday.

The opening ceremony and procession seems to be have been arranged in a hurry with only two weeks to get ready, said an official of the CDA Group event organizers. Opening ceremony participants were still conducting rehearsals late on Friday.

The glitches in the build-up to the event, held only for the second time outside Java in the past 30 years, begun as early as last year when the PON chief administrator stumbled on a corruption case, disrupting preparations. Preparations were delayed causing fear the venue would not be ready in time.

A political row has broken out over the decision of the ministry of internal affairs to install Tarmizi Karim, a staff expert with the ministry, as the governor of East Kalimantan. until the second round of gubernatorial elections in September, which will lead to a final election for a new governor. Local people may stage a protest over this at the Games.

"We reject the installation of a governor from the central administration. We plan to stage a big demonstration by taking over the gubernatorial office," Yulianus Henock, the leader of Dayak community, was quoted as saying by Koran Kaltim.

Apart from these distractions, the ongoing National Games, which will run until July 17, will be remembered as the biggest national event ever in the numbers of athletes and sports.

As many as 11,000 athletes and officials from 33 provinces including Jakarta, the overall champion in 2004, will be competing in 43 sports, offering 749 gold, 749 silver and 954 bronze medals.

Hotel occupancy is at peak even though prices are soaring. The three-star Mesra Hotel is charging Rp 800,000 (US$86) for a room with a normal price of Rp 400,000.

The Jakarta contingent is once again looking to dominate.

"We must win at least 160 golds to retain the championship," said Yudhi Suyoto, who will lead the first contingent from Jakarta due at Sepinggan Airport on Friday.

Competitions will be held in six towns and regions, including Balikpapan, Berau, Bontang, Kuta Kartanegara, Tarakan and the provincial capital of Samarinda.

Copyright © 2008 The Jakarta Post - PT Bina Media Tenggara. All Rights Reserved.