The Bung Karno Stadium, which is located in Senayan, South Jakarta, will be the heart of the implementation of the Asian Games 2018 activities.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati was very pleased and satisfied with the renovation works of Indonesia`s largest sports stadium, Bung Karno Stadium, as the works have reached over 90 percent completion.

The Bung Karno Stadium, which is located in Senayan, South Jakarta, will be the heart of the implementation of the Asian Games 2018 activities.

She expressed her relief while inspecting the stadium, which will be the venue of the 18th Asian Games, along with Palembang, the South Sumatran provincial capital.

The minister admitted that she had been worried about the renovation works, but expressed her satisfaction after witnessing the significant progress of the renovation directly.

"I have heard that there will be a jogging track on the upper floor of this stadium. It had never existed before. Moreover, the greenery area, which is currently being revitalized, will function as `the lung of the capital city.` We are certainly pleased," Indrawati remarked, while visiting the stadium, along with Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, on Nov 23.

In addition to visiting the main stadium, she also inspected the aquatic stadium and the Istora (literally means sports palace), which are located inside the Bung Karno Stadium complex, along with Erick Thohir, chairman of the Indonesian Asian Games Organizing Committee (INASGOC),.

The complex has been temporary closed to the public, as massive renovation works have been underway.

Hadimuljono is optimistic that the renovation works would be completed before Dec 31, 2017.

"All projects will be completed by Dec 31, except for a parking area and an urban park located in the former driving range golf area," the minister explained.

The Asian Games 2018, Asia`s biggest sporting event, will be held in Jakarta and Palembang from Aug 18 to Sept 12, 2019.

The Indonesian Government has intensified construction works of new venues and renovation of sports facilities, as well as the supporting infrastructure.

In fact, infrastructure development projects for the Asian Games 2018 are spread across various locations in Jakarta and Palembang.

Infrastructure development being carried out in Jakarta are also centered in Kemayoran, where an athlete village is currently being developed; in Rawamangun, the bike race venue; and in Pulo Mas, which will be the venue for the equestrian event.

Light Rail Transit (LRT) tracks are also being laid in Jakarta.

Parties involved in the development projects have all expressed optimism that the projects would be completed just in time for the event, which is held every four years.

Keeping infrastructure development on track holds significance, as in February 2018, all arenas will have to be readied to host the official test events to meet the requirements of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

"I am optimistic that all works at Gelora Bung Karno will be completed and be ready to host the test events in February 2018," Hadimuljono stated.

The test events and feature sports, such as archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, football, martial arts, taekwondo, volleyball, and weight lifting, will be staged from Feb 10 to 18.

Meanwhile, based on reports released by the Task Force for Asian Games 2018 Infrastructure on Nov 21, the renovation of the Bung Karno stadium will be completed on time, as works have currently reached 96.62 percent completion.

Works on the training facility, Madya Indoor and Outdoor Tennis Stadium, Softball Stadium, Basketball hall, and Baseball field is expected to be completed in December, while the Hockey field, Archery facility, ABC Football Field, and Aquatic stadium have already been ready.

Over the past three years, the central government has also lent full support to the Palembang city administration to prepare its supporting infrastructure, such as the 22-kilometer-long LRT transportation facility, which is now 75 percent complete.

The LRT project, worth around Rp10.9 trillion, will pass through 13 stations along the route from the Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II airport to the Jakabaring Sport City.

The LRT system passing on the left side of the iconic Ampera Bridge is expected to become operational before the 2018 Asian Games.

The first phase of the 23-kilometer-long toll road from Palembang to Indralaya (Ogan Komering Ilir) was completed and inaugurated by President Joko Widodo in October.

Some 9,500 athletes; 2,500 personnel of the Asian Olympic Council; and 5,500 technical delegates from 45 countries will participate, or be involved, in the event. At least 3,500 media representatives are expected to cover the event.

This will be the second time that Indonesia will host the Asian Games, with the first one being held in Jakarta in 1962.

(f001/INE)
EDITED BY INE/A014

Reporter: Fardah Assegaf
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2017