News Release

Torch Relay Day 1 - Borobudur

Posted : 25 Oct 2011 20:51:33

SEMARANG– SEA Games XXVI Torch Relay sets out. The torch is lit from the eternal flame in Mrapen, Manggarmas Village, Godong, Grobogan, Central Java on Sunday (23/10).

The Minister of Youth and Sports, Andi Mallarangreng said that the event confirms that Indonesia is ready to host the Southeast Asian sporting event in Jakarta and South Sumatera. “SEA Games will run on time. The construction of buildings to be used for the arena has been completed, although some are still in the finishing stages,” he confirms.

The lighting of the torch was presented in a delighful ceremony, attended by the Minister of Youth and Sports Andi Alifian Mallarangreng, the Governor of Central Java, Bibit Waluyo, Chairperson of KONI/KOI Rita Subowo, and director of INASOC Rachmat Gobel. The ceremony included several traditional and modern dances, which attracted some of the local population.

The torch was lit by the eternal flame by Merapen caretaker, Muryo Prasetyo. The torch was then handed to Rumiyanti, SEA Games 1995 gold-medalist, and Achmad Amri, SEA Games 2009 silver-medalist of the 80 kilogram boxing, who then ran the first leg of the relay with the torch.

Andi hopes that the 13th century eternal flame will ignite the sportsmanship spirit for all competing athletes. “Indonesian athletes in particular, are expected to be encouraged to gain the highest accomplishments,” says Andi.

Andi also stated that initially, the torch was to be relayed across Indonesia. “However, we are running out of time,” he said.

The torch relay will travel through nine other places: Yogyakarta; Semarang; Komodo Island and Kupang; NTT; Papua; Makassar; Balikpapan and Samarinda; East Kalimantan; Jakarta; and Palembang. In addition, the torch will travel through nine other points before finishing in Palembang, South Sumatera, 6-11 November.

The torch will pass through Komodo Island and East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) because SEA Games XXVI has chosen one of the rarest wildlife from that area to become the mascot.

Andi said that the torch relay is travelling to all major cities to indicate that this year’s SEA Games belongs to all Indonesians. “It does not only belong to Palembang and Jakarta citizens. Therefore, we need support from everyone in this country,” he said.

The Mrapen eternal flame has been the source of the flame for the torch in several previous events such as the Ganefo I 1963; Asian Beach Games (ABG) 2008, Bali and 2010, Muscat, Oman. KONI Chairperson Rita Subowo explained that the eternal flame will continue to be used for future sporting events such as the 2012 ABG at Cinadan Islamic Solidarity Games (ISG) in Riau.

Rita added that as the eternal flame is believed to have helped Empu Gandring in producing his kerises, it must always be preserved. “The eternal flame is a legacy to be used by other countries all over the globe, not only by Indonesia,” she stated.

Time Table for the Torch Relay:

1. Eternal Flame Merapen and Borobudur23 October 2011

2. Yogyakarta, 24 October 2011

3. Semarang, 25 October 2011.

4. KomodoIsland,EastNusaTenggara, 26 October 2011.

5. Kupang, EastNusa Tenggara, 27-28 October 2011.

6. Jayapura, PapuaProvince, 29-30 October 2011.

7. Makassar,SouthSulawesi, 31-1 October 2011.

8. SamarindaandBalikpapan, East Kalimantan, 2-3 November 2011.

9. Jakarta, 4-5 November 2011.

10. Palembang, South Sumatera, 6-11 November 2011.