SEA Games to be held in two Indonesian cities

Thursday 18 Nov 2010

Indonesia will hold next year’s SEA Games in Jakarta and Palembang instead of four provinces as previously announced, Bernama reports.

Indonesia had earlier said the Games, from Nov 11-25, would be hosted at four provinces – Jakarta, Bandung, Palembang and Semarang.

The Indonesian SEA Games Organising Committee (Inasoc) sports and venues deputy Djoko Pramono said the decision was made by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

“These are instructions from above, so Inosoc have to make everything possible,” he said in the online-edition of the Jakarta Post.

“The two provinces will each host 21 sports,” said Djoko.

He said they would have to work around-the-clock to ensure that all venues would be ready on time.

Swimming, which was initially planned in Bandung, will have to move to Jakarta while Palembang will host water polo, fin swimming and diving.

Football matches which were earlier planned to be held in Jakarta and Palembang, may be held in just one province as suggested by the Indonesian Soccer Union (PSSI) so as to reduce cost and for better coordination.

Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) honorary secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi, when contacted, said it was up to the host to decide on the venues.