The Deputy II for Youth Development Affairs in the Ministry, Asrorun Ni`am, said here on Friday, "We encourage establishment of command posts controlled by youth organisations and the Scouts. Besides providing facilities for rest, the command posts are also used to publicise the 18th Asian Games."
The Ministry had coordinated with INASGOC (the Asian Games organising committee) to publicise the Games. Asian Games banners were available at the command posts where travellers used the prayer rooms and the washrooms, said the official.
Millions of Lebaran travellers use such command posts on their way home in trains, buses, private cars, motorcycles and even airplanes.
As Java is Indonesia`s most crowded island, the government is giving special attention to transportation facilities in Java to serve Lebaran travellers. To facilitate the home-bound exodus, the government has made adequate preparations to minimise traffic congestion.
The 18th Asian Games will be held from August 18 to September 2 in Jakarta and the South Sumatra provincial capital city of Palembang.
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. Thousands of media representatives are also expected to cover the event.
Indonesia is eying a top 10 place in the medals tally of the pan-Asian multi-sports event. To secure it, Indonesia must win 15 to 20 gold medals. The country registered its highest tally of 11 gold medals in 1962, when it hosted the event for the first time.
This is the second time that Indonesia will host the Asian Games. In 1962, in Jakarta, Indonesia, as the host, was the runner-up, with 11 gold, 12 silver, and 28 bronze medals, behind Japan the overall champion, with 73 gold, 56 silver, and 23 bronze medals.
Reporter: imam santoso
Editor: Bustanuddin
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