Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono left the capital for Palembang, South Sumatra, on Thursday afternoon to inaugurate the Jakabaring Sports Complex, and officially kick off the 26th SEA Games, on Friday evening (Nov 11).

Accompanied by First Lady Ani Yudhoyono, the head of state departed to Palembang from Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, eastern Jakarta, at 2 pm local time by Garuda Indonesia Airbus A330-300.

Upon his arrival in Palembang, the head of state was scheduled to immediately proceed to the Jakabaring Sports City for the inauguration.

The 325-ha sports city, the biggest in Southeast Asia, has 13 arenas for 19 sport branches to be competed during the SEA Games.

President Yudhoyono is scheduled to stay in Palembang until November 12, 2011, after officially kicking off the 26th SEA Games at the Sriwijaya Stadium on Friday evening (Nov 11).

The SEA Games is to be implemented in Jakarta and Palembang from November 11 to November 22, 2011.

Some 27 sport branches will be competed mainly at the Bung Karno Senayan Stadium, and other places such as Karawang (West Java) for rowing, Sentul (also West Java) for cycling, and on Pulau Putri (Kepulauan Seribu or One Thousand Islands) for outdoor swimming).(*)

Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
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