SEA Games organisers want more TV coverage

Tuesday 18 Oct 2011
With the 26th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) less than a month away, organisers are hoping for more participation from Indonesian television stations to air the events across the country, the Jakarta Post reports.

MNC Group, Kompas TV and TVRI have committed to broadcasting the Games from 11 to 22 November. The Games will be hosted in Jakarta and Palembang, South Sumatra.

“As for international broadcasters, we have 29 TV stations ready to air the Games,” Indonesian SEA Games Organising Committee (INASOC) director Rachmat Gobel told a press conference organised by MNC Group, the Games’ official media partner, in Jakarta on Monday.

MNC Group, which controls numerous television stations and Indovision cable, will cover nine sports – soccer, badminton, swimming, gymnastics, dragon boat, futsal, tae kwondo, diving and synchronised swimming.

For soccer, MNC Group’s RCTI, MNCTV and GlobalTV will broadcast group qualifier matches beginning on 3 November.

RCTI will also showcase the Games’ opening and closing ceremonies.

“We are waiting for other local TV stations to join us, airing other sports,” said Mr Rachmat, adding that television is important for the host country’s efforts to promote the Games.

“The SEA Games are not only about sports, but also about building the nation’s character,” he said.

The Games will feature 42 different sporting competitions. Some 5,000 athletes from 11 countries are expected to participate.