TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) inaugurated the construction of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) mass transportation system, reconstruction of a velodrome in Rawamangun, and the renovation of an equestrian venue in Jakarta.

"The velodrome and the equestrian venues will be world-class facilities and will meet Olympic standards," Ahok stated at the Rawamangun Sports Complex in Jakarta on Wednesday.

International athletes will be comfortable in the venues as they will find similarities between the Olympic venues in other countries and those in Jakarta, Ahok pointed out.

It is estimated that the Velodrome project will cost up to US$40 million as the government has roped in a special contractor from the United States, ES Global, which is a reputed company in the field.

The construction of the exquisite velodrome is supervised by the Union Cycliste Internationale, while the equestrian project is under direct supervision to create an Asian Equestrian Federation Disease-Free Zone on a 35-hectare plot of land.

The Jakarta government has been appointed to host the upcoming 2018 Asian Games and to build two sporting venues: an equestrian arena and a velodrome.

Jakarta Deputy Governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat affirmed on June 16 that the construction of both venues will be completed by the time the Asian Games begin.

Hidayat further explained that the construction work on the equestrian arena will be completed ahead of the velodrome.

"We are intentionally targeting to complete the work on the equestrian arena first as the horses will arrive ahead of time. Since the games begin in August 2018, we will then have to complete it by February 2018," he concluded.

ANTARA