The atmosphere of the 2018 Asian Games closing ceremony at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, on Sunday (2/9/2018).
JAKARTA, KOMPAS – A modern and stylish closing ceremony marked the end of the 2018 Asian Games at the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Stadium on Sunday evening (2/9/2018). It was a sweet end that also marked a new beginning in improving the performance of national sports while igniting hopes of Indonesia’s selection to host future international sports events.
In his speech at the closing ceremony, Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) president Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahad al-Sabah expressed high appreciation towards Indonesia for the success of the 2018 Asian Games. He said that Indonesia had worked hard to prepare the multisport event over a short time, and that it had achieved the Asian dream of hosting a colorful event and that Indonesians had been a friendly host for their international guests.
“Indonesia deserves and has the capability to organize international sports events,” Al-Sabah said.
Al-Sabah closed the 2018 Asian Games by thanking Indonesia numerous times and forming the shape of a heart with his hands over his head. “Thank you, Indonesia. We love you. Indonesia, you are great,” he said in Indonesian.
Vice President Jusuf Kalla and International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach also attended the 2018 Asian Games closing ceremony. In an interview prior to the ceremony, Bach said that the 2018 Asian Games had exceeded his expectations. He said that the organizing committee had shown extraordinary work, the government had given all the help it could and that the volunteers worked hard every day with smiles.
“These young volunteers are the best of Indonesia,” he said.
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OCA Honorary Life Vice President Wei Ji Zhong also said that the 18th Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games this year had exceeded his expectations. “There are always problems at the beginning of every Asian Games. However, we were always able to solve each and every problem so there were no more problems,” he said.
President Joko Widodo did not attend the closing ceremony, as he was inspecting the disaster management efforts in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). He had delegated his duties for the closing ceremony to Kalla. However, the President greeted the audience at the GBK Stadium through video conference.
Accompanied by NTB Governor Muhammad Zainul Majdi and a number of earthquake victims, the President said that, even after the 2018 Asian Games had ended, the spirit of unity that the Games helped nurture should be kept alive.
“This is the true energy of Asia: unity that brings good for the world,” he said.
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In his speech, Kalla thanked the organizer, athletes, volunteers and all Indonesians. He said that Indonesia had achieved success in three aspects: preparing the facilities, organizing the Games and athletes’ performances. The Indonesian people had also shown their character as a friendly nation.
He continued by expressing the hope that the Asian Games would serve as an occasion for resurgence in national sports and for fostering national unity. “I believe that IOC President Thomas Bach will not only enjoy this closing ceremony, but will also bear witness to Indonesia’s ability in organizing an international multisport event,” said Kalla.
Public enthusiasm
Despite the heavy rain, the 2018 Asian Games closing ceremony was a great fanfare that was attended by 55,000 athletes, officials and spectators. It was also broadcast live on several television channels.
The closing ceremony involved lowering the OCA flag as well as handing over the first Asian Games flag, the Asiad torch and the OCA flag to Hangzhou Mayor Xu Liyi and Chinese Olympic Committee chair Gou Zhongwen as representatives of Hangzhou, host of the 2022 Asian Games. The Chinese national anthem was played afterwards, followed by a performance of Chinese music and dances to introduce the host of the next Asian Games.
The ceremony ended with a concert of local and international musicians. Fireworks lit up the stadium nearly throughout the entire ceremony.
Outside the GBK Stadium, joy was also in the air at the 40 public viewing locations around town for the closing ceremony. Despite the heavy rain, local residents gathered at the locations to watch the ceremony enthusiastically.
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In Kota Tua, West Jakarta, people thronged and joined in the fun on the last day of the 2018 Asian Games. They enjoyed viewing the cultural performances that were held throughout the day and watched the live broadcast of the closing ceremony together.
Dino Fahruddin, 44, said that the 2018 Asian Games left a deep impression on him. “I got goosebumps just from hearing the audience in the GBK Stadium shouting ‘Indonesia… Indonesia…,’ even though I only watched the Games on the TV at my office,” he said.
China maintained its Asian dominance at this year’s Games, clinching the highest medal tally with 132 golds, 92 silvers and 65 bronzes and becoming the overall champion for the 10th time in a row – a title it has maintained since 1982.
Indonesia finished fourth with 31 golds, 24 silvers and 43 bronzes, far beyond the government’s target of 16-20 gold medals and making it to the top 10.
Japan swimmer Rikako Ikee, 18, was named the Games’ most valuable player (MVP) after winning six golds and two silvers. “I am honored to have been given this extraordinary award,” she said.
(KEL/NIA/DNA/NIC/OKI/DEN/IND/IKI/JOG/E10/E13/E18)
Citated from Kompas English, September 3rd 2018
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