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Kalla unites flames before cross-country journey
Eternal flames: Indonesian badminton legend Susy Susanti (right) carries a torch from India while former tennis player Yustedjo Tarik holds one that was lit at the Mrapen eternal flame in Grobogan, Central Java
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ternal flames: Indonesian badminton legend Susy Susanti (right) carries a torch from India while former tennis player Yustedjo Tarik holds one that was lit at the Mrapen eternal flame in Grobogan, Central Java. The two torches were used to light a cauldron at the Asian Games Torch Relay Concert at the Prambanan temple complex in Sleman, Yogyakarta, on Wednesday. (Antara/Ismar Patrizki)
Vice President Jusuf Kalla received on Wednesday the Asian Games torch from badminton legend Susy Susanti and tennis icon Yustedjo Tarik at Prambanan temple, Central Java, before handing it over to former badminton player Finarsih, who represents Indonesia’s athletes, and will carry the torch on its journey across the country.
In his speech, Kalla said it was a great honor for Indonesia to serve as host of the Games.
“God willing, this will prove our skills at organizing multisport events, building sports infrastructure and winning medals,” he said.
Susy and Yustedjo had picked up the Games lantern in New Delhi and brought it to Prambanan temple. There, they delivered the lantern to the main stage, where its flames were joined with the eternal Mrapen flame collected from Grobogan, Central Java.
“The union of the [Mrapen flames and Asian Games torch] is expected to boost our morale, so we could do our best with spirit. Fire symbolizes a high spirit,” Kalla said.
After collecting and passing the Mrapen flame to tennis legends Yayuk Basuki and Yustedjo Tarik earlier that day in Grobogan, Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister Puan Maharani, who led the ceremony, said all eyes were on Indonesia.
“This is a good time for us to improve our local tourism and trade, especially for our small and medium enterprises [SMEs],” she said as quoted by kompas.com on Wednesday.
The Games torch will be relayed to 53 regencies and municipalities in 18 provinces.
From Semarang, Central Java, the Mrapen flame was carried to Yogyakarta to be united with the Games flame, which had been stored for the night at the Dirgantara Mandala Indonesian Air Force Museum upon its arrival from India.
Sleman Regent Sri Purnomo could not hid his enthusiasm when his region was appointed to host the ritual to welcome the torch relay.
He said the event could also boost local tourism.
“I couldn’t be prouder to witness the start of the Asian Games torch relay here. I hope this will be a good sign for the country as it competes in the upcoming competition and on local tourism as well,” he said.
The Mrapen eternal flame lit the torch at the first Ganefo Games in 1963 and for the National Games (PON) in 1996. It is among Central Java’s most popular tourist attractions and serves as a source of flames used in religious rituals.
The last time Indonesia hosted the Asian Games was in 1962, when it secured 11 gold medals. This year, the country is aiming to win 20 gold medals.
