Sleman District head receives Asian Games` flame

Sleman (Antaranews Jogja) - The District Head of Sleman in the Special Province of Yogyakarta received the Asian Games flame at the courtyard of Ratu Boko Temple in Prambanan of Sleman District on Wednesday afternoon.

Earlier, the flame of the 18th Asian Games was brought by members of the Asian Games organizing committee (INASGOC) from the central museum of the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) of "Dirgantara Mandala." Upon arrival at Ratu Boko Temple complex, it was welcomed by "Bregodo troop."

Bregodo is the Kraton`s (Palace) soldiers who often accompany and escort the procession of any event held by the Kraton.

The Asian Games flame was then brought up to the courtyard of Ratu Boko temple and was welcomed by the Sleman District head, Sri Purnomo, amid traditional dance of Reog from Tirtomartani, Kalasan, and Sleman.

Subsequently, the flame was placed for some time on a table and later handed over to Torch Ambassador of the Asian Games 2018, Susi Susanti.

After being received by Susanti, the Asian Games flame, which was placed in the lantern, was then taken to the courtyard of Brahma Temple in Prambanan Temple Complex.

"Sleman also hosts the joining of the eternal flame brought from India and another eternal flame from Mrapen, which would later become the torch of the Asian Games of 2018," he noted.

Purnomo further remarked that such a momentum can further promote the potentials of Sleman internationally.

"It can also promote the tourism potentials of Sleman District to the international world," he explained.

Before being carried around 18 provinces, which would cover 50 cities in Indonesia, the eternal flame from India, which landed at Adisutjipto Airport, will be brought to the Boko Temple on July 18, 2018, and handed over to Sleman District government.

The flame (from India) will then be brought to Prambanan Temple to be combined with the eternal flame from Mrapen, before being received by the Governor of Yogyakarta, Sri Sultan HB X.

Around 16 thousand athletes from 45 countries will participate in the 18th Asian Games, to be co-hosted by Jakarta and Palembang, South Sumatra Province.