Kudos goes to Jakarta’s co-host

The city of Palembang has impressed both athletes and spectators in co-hosting the 18th Asian Games.

The South Sumatran capital’s purpose-built Jakabaring Sport City (JSC) has hosted 13 Olympic and non-Olympic sports and around 3,100 athletes and officials over the course of the Games.

The 360-hectare venue features an international-standard shooting range and facilities for bowling, beach volleyball, rowing, tennis, climbing and roller skating. It is linked to the airport by a 24.5-kilometer light-rail system.

Expansion projects to make the JSC suitable to host multisports international events were completed in 2011.

Since then, the JSC has staged the 2011 Southeast Asian Games, the 2013 Islamic Solidarity Games, the 2014 ASEAN University Games and the 2017 Asian Triathlon Championship.

Chinese tennis star Wang Qiang gave the facility a thumbs-up.

“I think it is very good here, people are friendly and nice, I enjoyed my time here,” Wang told Xinhua after retaining her women’s singles title.

She was unconcerned by a fire — seemingly naturally caused by the searing heat — that broke out near the bowling stadium. The blaze scorched two hectares but was quickly extinguished by the authorities.

The volunteers at events are often the heartbeat of proceedings, providing a valuable service to the athletes, spectators and officials.

“This international event is different from the other ones that have been held here. This is bigger with more people from more countries. Many of them don’t know much about Indonesia,” 23 year-old volunteer Fransisca Amalia told Xinhua.

The university student has been relishing the rare opportunity of working at a major international championship.

“This is an event that Indonesia hasn’t held for 56 years. I am lucky to have the experience to get involved as a volunteer,” she said.

Local residents, meanwhile, have been enjoying the chance to see world-class athletes compete on their doorsteps.

One man, named Aminuddin, said he came to watch several tennis and soccer matches, enticed by players he had seen on TV.

“I am curious about how they play in their matches,” the 36 year-old said.

“If the Asian Games was not being held here, I would not have the chance to see their real skills to play in international matches.”

He added that the level of organization made him proud of his hometown and that it will now be written in Asiad history.

This is an event that Indonesia hasn’t held for 56 years. I am lucky to have the experience to get involved as a volunteer.”

Fransisca Amalia, a volunteer