The Asian Games Torch, which arrived in Makassar, South Sulawesi Provincial Capital, on Saturday morning form Sorong, West Papua, was taken to Bulukumba to be paraded around the district by the Asian Games Torch Marching Team.
Bulukumba District Head, Andi Muhammand Sukri Sappewali, received the torch at the Islamic Center.
Thousands of residents and students, with their uniforms and the white-and-red flags, enthusiastically lined up on the road sides to welcome the Asian Games flame.
The Asian Games torch, which was carried by the AG Marching Team, arrived at Bonto Bahari Fish Market Port (PPI) at 5.30 p.m. local time.
The Asian Games flame sailed from the Bonto Hahari PPI to the Pasir Putih Beach in Tanjung Bira in three pinisi ships, escorted by 45 smaller pinisi boats, carrying the flags of the Asian Games participating countries.
Actor Mario Lawalata took part in highlighting the torch marching. He took the flame on board the pinish ship.
"This is an honor for Bulukumba as one of the districts in South Sulawesi where the Asian Games torch had passed and was taken around the city," Bulukumba District Head Sappewali said.
Earlier on Friday, locals in Sorong, West Papua, warmly welcomed the Asian Games torch relay as it passed through the province.
The Minister of Villages, Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration, Eko Putro Sandjojo, led the torch relay, which started at the Main Naval Base XIV Sorong and finished at the Sorong Mayor`s Office. The torch relay was held in the city of Waisai in Raja Ampat sub-district, West Java province, the previous day.
A light rain fell during the event, but it did not discourage the runners and athletes, which included military personnel and members of the Sorong police force as well as the minister himself, from finishing the run.
Citizens cheered for Eko and welcomed him with West Papuan traditional dances as he ran the relay.
"I saw for myself how enthusiastic the people were, and it was really contagious, which is why I ended up joining the run," he remarked, after lighting up the Asian Games flame at the Sorong Mayor`s Office.
He expressed hope that the Asian Games torch relay will awaken the Indonesian athletes` spirit of togetherness and encourage them to aim for victory and enable the country to finish in the top 10 in the quadrennial event.
Reporter: E.S. Wicaksono
Editor: Bustanuddin
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
