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akarta and the entire nation should take pride in the revamped Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Stadium that will host the opening and closing ceremonies of the Asian Games later this year.

The major renovation, which cost the state nearly Rp 770 billion (US$58.78 million), has transformed the 56-year-old stadium into one of the world’s best. GBK’s new lighting system, for example, outshines that of Europe’s prominent stadiums such as Wembley and Emirates in London, as well as Santiago Bernabeu and Camp Nou in Spain.

GBK has also changed its turf to Manila grass, which is certified by world soccer body FIFA and used in many world-class stadiums. To achieve international standards, single, flip-up seats have replaced the old benches that allowed GBK to accommodate more than 100,000 people. The new seating has reduced the capacity to 80,000, but offers comfort to spectators and facilitates evacuations in the event of an emergency.

An international friendly match between Indonesia and Iceland on Jan. 14 served as an event to test the stadium’s eligibility to host soccer and other competitions during the Games. The President’s Cup final on Feb. 17 will further measure the stadium’s readiness for the Games.

In a nutshell, GBK now stands out as a model for stadium development that regions outside the capital should look up to. With at least nine more stadiums of more or less the GBK standard, we may realize every nation’s dream of hosting the World Cup of soccer.

The iconic GBK, named after the first president, Sukarno, indeed represents the forward-looking forefather’s vision of developing sports as a source of national prestige and character building. The stadium would have not existed had Jakarta not played host to the fourth Games in 1962. The sports facility was built using Soviet Union loans at a time when the world was embroiled in the Cold War.

Gone is the era of confrontation that marked the construction of GBK. The government has refurbished the stadium at a time when nations are championing cooperation, although in some parts of the world, conflict is raging. Such spirit of friendship will be further fostered when Jakarta and Palembang host the Games, which begins and ends at GBK.

As cohost, Jakarta has been undergoing a major face-lift to welcome thousands of visiting athletes, officials and supporters from 44 countries across the continent. Successful hosting of the Games will certainly earn Jakarta a shot to stage a bigger event, namely the Olympic Games.

Such ambition, however, begs cultural and behavioral changes of Jakarta’s people. Among the cultural transformation needed is the city’s eagerness to maintain GBK as its precious asset.

Keeping the stadium clean, refraining from smoking anywhere in the stadium and avoiding vandalism will be the real actions that show Jakarta citizens’ willingness to preserve the historic sports venue. Good manners are the simplest ways to express our pride of GBK, but we know it is always easier said than done.