V

ice President Boediono accepted the 26th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) torch from former Indonesian badminton hero Icuk Sugiarto at his official office in Jakarta on Friday.

The Games’ eternal flame, which had been carried from Mrapen in Central Java, reached the vice president’s palace at 3.15 p.m., where it spent only about 10 minutes before being handed over to Indonesian Olympics Council (IOC) chief Rita Subowo.

Rita passed the torch to Boediono, who then passed it on to Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo.

At the end of the handover ceremony, Fauzi carried the torch to City Hall, which is located next to the Vice President’s palace.

The torch will spend the night at City Hall before being carried to Palembang on Saturday.

“Our target is to be overall champions,” Youth and Sports Minister Andi Mallarangeng said on the sidelines of the torch relay ceremony at the palace, as quoted by Antara news agency.

Andi said he expected that Indonesia would win at least 25 percent of the 545 gold medals up for grabs at the Games.

Prior to the torch relay, Andi inaugurated 1,059 athletes who would participate in the Games from Nov. 11-22.

In response to some journalists’ questions, Andi said that the government had allocated about Rp 150 billion (US$16.8 million) in bonuses for achieving athletes at the biennial event. “Each of the gold medalists will receive Rp 200 million, while silver medalists receive Rp 200 million and bronze medalists Rp 100 million.” he said.

On Saturday, the torch will be paraded around Jakarta before being transported by sea to Palembang.

Fauzi urged all Jakarta residents to support the national athletes taking part in the event.

“I hope that the support will boost the athletes’ morale, to optimize their performance to reach the medal target,” Fauzi said.

Saturday’s torch relay will run from Jl. M.H. Thamrin – Jl. Jend. Sudirman – Senayan – Gelora Bung Karno sports complex – Jl. Gatot Subroto – Jl. M.T. Haryono – Jl. Dewi Sartika – Jl. D.I. Panjaitan – Jl. Ahmad Yani – North Jakarta Mayor Office – Sunter area.

The National Police will deploy 11,163 personnel to secure the event.

The police will also conduct a security operation seven days prior to the opening ceremony both in Jakarta and Palembang.

The 2011 Games will be the fourth time Indonesia has hosted the prestigious regional event.

Dubbed the biggest SEA Games ever, this year’s event will involve about 5,000 athletes from 11 countries competing in 42 sports. Cricket and the West Javan martial art tarung drajat will be exhibition sports.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is scheduled to attend the opening ceremony of the Games at Jakabaring soccer stadium in Palembang.

Indonesia finished on top of the medals table in 1979, 1987 and 1997 Games.