Asian Games Ends with Explosive Closing Ceremony
Asian Games Closing Ceremony at Gelora Bung Karno Sports Complex, Jakarta, Monday (2/9) (Photo by: Public Relations Division of Cabinet Secretariat/Oji).
Thousands athletes and spectators braved the heavy rain to watch a spectacular Asian Games closing ceremony at Gelora Bung Karno Sports Complex, South Jakarta, Sunday evening (2/9).
The closing ceremony began at 19.00 Western Indonesian Times with singing the Indonesian national anthem, followed by a marching band performance from a joint team of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (POLRI).
After the marching band parade, the event continued with the parade of flags representing countries participating in the Games followed by parade of nations. The rain did not hamper the athletes to joyfully march, waving hands to the spectators.
The three mascots of the Asian Games, Kaka, Bhin Bhin, and Atung also joined the parade.
During the event, the Asian Games volunteers, who have made significant contributions to the success of the quadrennial sports event, mingled with the athletes and the officials.
Vice President Jusuf Kalla delivered his remarks during Asian Games Closing Ceremony at Gelora Bung Karno Sports Complex, Jakarta, Monday (2/9) (Photo by: Public Relations Division of Cabinet Secretariat/Oji).
On the occasion, President Joko Jokowi Widodo delivered his remarks through video streaming from the quake-hit Lombok. The President watched the ceremony with the locals, some of them are survivors of the earthquake hit the island last month. “I apologize for not being able to attend the closing ceremony,” President Jokowi said.
The [Asian Games] ended today, but the Energy of Asia will not go away. Thank you all nations of Asia. This is the true energy of Asia, the one which unites us to bring goodness to the world, the President added.
In the meantime, Vice President Jusuf Kalla, who attended the ceremony, delivered the closing remarks, expressing gratitude for the successful Asian Games. Thank you for giving us such a beautiful competition. Thank you for giving us these thrilling moments. And thank you for giving us the strong spirit and energy of fair play. You are the heroes of Asia, Kalla said.
Meanwhile, President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah also delivered his remarks, congratulating Indonesia for the success of the sports event. “Thank you Indonesia, we love you. Thank you Jakarta. Thank you Palembang, ” Sheikh Ahmad said.
After the remarks, the Asian Games Closing Ceremony continued with handing over the Asian Games torch from Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan, Asian Games flag from South Sumatra Governor Alex Nurdin, and the OCA Asian Games flag from Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani, to the OCA President Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Syabah who handed over the flags and torch to the Mayor of Hangzhou, China, as the host of the upcoming 2022 Asian Games.
The event continued with raising the flag of the Peoples Republic of China and singing of its anthem, followed by Chinese cultural performances and remarks from Alibaba Group founder and the 2022 Asian Games steering committee, Jack Ma. (FID/AGG/ES) (RI/EP/Naster)
