Bali torch relay to start at Mount Merapi

Niken Prathivi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta ,
The route for the inaugural Asian Beach Games' torch relay was revealed Friday, but organizers are still undecided over how to transport the torch during its Jakarta leg. Sat, 09/27/2008 10:36 AM Sports
The torch will be paraded in Jakarta before heading to Bali for an inland tour of the island. The games, featuring 19 beach sports, will run from Oct. 18 to 26.
"From Mount Merapi, the flame then will be brought to Jakarta and given to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, before it headed for Bali the next day," Rita said during a signing ceremony with sponsor Samsung in Jakarta. Samsung will provide computers for the media center during the games.
However, Rita said they had yet to decide on how the torch would be transported between Jakarta and Bali.
"We haven't decided yet whether the flame should be transported by air or land," she said.
She said the Bali relay would tour all nine districts, including Badung and Denpasar, which will host the majority of the sports.
"Each district will field 45 torch bearers comprising local athletes, officials and administrators. BOGOC (Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games) has stated their willingness to help provide the lantern for the torch relay," she added.
The torch is expected to reach Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park on October 18, when President Yudhoyono will officially open the games.
"Preparations for the opening ceremony are on track. It will start at 8 p.m. local time.
"The show will highlight Indonesian cultural arts, featuring international performers such as our own singer Anggun C. Sasmi and Christian Bautista (of the Philippines), as well as notable composer Erwin Gutawa," Rita said, adding that Anggun, who resides in Canada, would sing the Bali Games anthem.
Forty-three out of 45 Asian countries are reported to have confirmed their participation, leaving Bhutan and Kyrgyztan the only nations yet to join.