Presidential Spokesperson Julian Aldrin Pasha said the head of state received a report on the preparations for PON, from Vice President Boediono, shortly after returning from Russia on Monday (September 10).
Meanwhile, Ari Junaedi, a political communication lecturer from the University of Indonesia, stated that President Yudhoyono should not officially open the 18th PON in Riau because of the many problems that occurred during the preparations for the event, which had yet to be resolved.
"Some sporting arenas in Riau are not 100 percent ready. The canopy over a tennis stadium collapsed, injuring two construction workers on Thursday (September 6), just a few days ahead of the event," he pointed out.
"Besides, there is a big puddle in front of the main stadium, the roof of the billiard arena is leaking, there is limited water in the water polo pool, and the athletes� dormitories are in a pitiful state," Ari said.
However, Riau governor H.M. Rusli Zainal dismissed the canopy collapse incident as "a small mishap caused by nature".
"Only the canopy was damaged. The arena is still in good condition and ready to be used," he said.
"Riau administration authorities have already instructed the stadium contractor to fix the problem, and our officials will also inspect the building`s structure," the governor added.
The stadium will be the venue for tennis matches in the national sports tournament, which will be held from Wednesday (September 12) through September 20.
(F013/KR-BSR/F001)
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
