Asia sets eyes on Jakarta as Games begin today

Vinayak Padmadeo

‘Red and White’ was displayed outside most of the houses both in the plush Central Business District in Jakarta as well as on the outskirts. A day before the official opening of the 18th Asian Games, Indonesians celebrated their 73rd Independence Day on Friday.

And so, the smiles were bigger and brighter on the faces of the volunteers — drafted in to ensure the smooth conduct of the Games.

Vinyl hoardings and bright neon signs are visible everywhere as the country prepares to kickstart the festivities at the impressive Gelora Bung Karno Stadium — the main venue of the Games as well as the opening ceremony scheduled for Saturday.

It’s only fitting that such an important event kicks off at a stadium named after Bung Karno, the leader who proclaimed Indonesia’s independence from the Dutch. The Games’ successful conduct has also become the biggest challenge for the country’s richest man, Erick Thohir, who co-owns the Inter Milan football club.

But the high-handedness of the police to control the crime graph or the stench from the Sentiong river that flows near the Athletes’ Stadium in Kemayoran, to the rising pollution level, there have been many issues to mar the run-up to the Games.

Amnesty International has claimed that the police have eliminated 31 petty criminals since January. 

The notorious traffic of Jakarta, omnipresent till a day ago, seems to have vanished overnight and the authorities have laid emphasis on the beautification of the city. The local administration has even covered the polluted river with nylon nets to spare the athletes an eyesore. The stench, though, remains strong, ironically strongest near the athletes’ dining hall.

These issues, however, are of little concern for the Indian contingent. On Friday, they mourned the demise of former PM Vajpayee with a two-minute silence. For Saina Nehwal and the badminton contingent, however, it was business as usual with a gruelling four-hour training stint under the watchful eyes of coach Pullela Gopichand.

Medal favourites Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat,  too, were relaxed ahead of the actual competition. Bajrang, in fact, might well be India’s first gold medallist, with his bout slotted for August 19.

“Ask him anything, he never says no to an interview,” Vinesh laughed, only to get a laugh in return. The banter aptly summed up the mood in the Indian contingent.