Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia Asian Games 2018 Organizing Committee (INASGOC) is currently still finalizing its concept for the opening and closing ceremonies of Asian Games XVIII/2018, to make them no less inferior to those of the Olympic Games.

"Our team will continue to work, and we hope to have a good concept by January or February. The opening and closing ceremonies are important parts of the Asian Games," INASGOC chairman Erick Thohir said, after accompanying Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati and Public Works Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, during a visit to Gelora Bung Karno sports complex in Senayan, last Thursday.

The opening and closing ceremonies of the 18th Asian Games must not be inferior compared to that of SEA Games 2017 in Malaysia, which had cost US$25-35 million.

"We do not want to be lavish, but we also do not want to be inferior compared to Malaysia. The opening and closing ceremonies for Olympic Games would cost around $80 to $100 million," he stated, regarding the budget for the Asian Games.

Erick noted that there would be an additional budget of around Rp1.78 trillion from the 2018 budget for INASGOC. "Perhaps, there will still be additional expenses. We still need to cover the shortage from sponsorship," he added.

INASGOC has received sponsorship support, worth Rp350 billion in cash money and Rp150 billion in services, from state-owned companies. "The amount from foreign sponsorship has reached $40 million," he revealed.

"We are now in the process of covering the expenditures using Rp2 trillion budget that we have received. It is being used for meeting information technology needs, broadcasting, and event recording needs," Erick remarked, adding that most of the budget has been utilized for infrastructure.

Reported by Imam Santoso
(H-YH/INE)
EDITED BY INE/a014
(T.SYS/B/KR-BSR/A014)

Reporter: Antara
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2017