SBY: Games breathes spirit of harmony among nations

Sat, 10/11/2008 11:24 AM | Headlines

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (shaking hands, left) greeted several torchbearers as he welcomed the Jakarta leg of the Asian Beach Games torch relay at the State Palace on Friday.

The torch (held in the photo by Olympic gold medalist Hendra Setiawan) arrived in the capital from Mrapen geological site in Grogoban, Central Java, on Thursday afternoon. It was then paraded from the office of the State Minister for Youth and Sports Affairs on Jl. Gerbang Pemuda to the palace on Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat via Jl. Jend. Sudirman.

The relay involves 52 torchbearers, including former International Boxing Federation Super Flyweight champ Ellyas Pical, 1983 world badminton champion Icuk Sugiarto and world mixed doubles badminton champions Nova Widianto and Lilyana Natsir.

"The flame symbolizes the spirit of sportsmanship during the games," Yudhoyono said in his speech. "We expect this event will help tighten relationships among Asian countries amid the many troubles we are facing today."

Bali Asian Beach Games director Rita Subowo said most preparations for the games had been completed.

"However, we are now waiting for Rp 70 billion (US$7.2 million) in financial support from the government," she said.

"Hopefully, we will get the funding by next week."

The games will kick off on Oct. 18 and close on Oct. 26. The total cost of the games is estimated at Rp 210 billion. JP/Niken Prathivi

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