TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The government of capital city Jakarta is continuing with its efforts to prepare itself for the Asian Games, scheduled to be held in the city and in Palembang in 2018.
Deputy Governor for Cultural and Tourism Affairs, Sykviana Murni made a statement on Thursday after meeting with the Chairman of the Indonesian Sports Committee (KOI), Erick Thohir, in the City Hall.
"We are continuing to finalize preparations for the Asian Games 2018 and are coordinating in this regard for locations for events and venues," she said.
Sykviana said the Jakarta administration would rehabilitate its velodrome and equestrian venue for the event.
"Rehabilitation of locations for events will be our responsibility. Some arenas that we are going to rehabilitate include the velodrome and equestrian venues," she stated.
Besides these arenas, she said the Jakarta government will also build an athletes village in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, to accommodate athletes that will participate in the Games.
"With regards to the athlete village in Kemayoran, the Jakarta Governor (Basuki Tjahaja Purnama) has appointed PT Jakarta Propertindo to carry out the development of the village and we are now preparing for a legal basis for it," she said.
This is in addition to the physical preparations aimed at improving peoples knowledge about the international event.
"So, preparations are not mere physical and mental. The publics mentality must also be changed. We must show our culture, which is friendly. We must also maintain cleanliness in the city," she added.
Meanwhile, KOI Chairman Erick said it is time for the arenas to be built according to international standards.
"I think it is time now to renovate sports venues in Indonesia in such a way so that more international events can be held there," he noted.
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