REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Indonesian Asian Games Organizing Committee confirmed here on Monday that the torch relay will start on July 15. The torch to pass through 53 cities and districts in the country, the chief Erick Thohir stated.

"The torch relay is aimed at introducing the 18th Asian Games to people in the country, so they will support this multi-sport event," Thohir noted during a meeting with the Home Affairs Ministry in Jakarta, Monday.

The committee chairman revealed that the torch will first be lit at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi, the first host of the Asian Games in 1951.

"After being launched, the torch will pass through all islands in Indonesia," he noted.

Thohir claimed that the relay will also serve as a platform to introduce the country's rich cultures and tourist destinations to a foreign audience.

"We hope that the torch relay will boost overseas tourist arrivals to Indonesia and improve micro and middle businesses," he stressed.

Meanwhile, Hadi Prabowo, the ministry's secretary general, noted that the Home Affairs Ministry had instructed all city mayors and governors to support the torch relay.

During the relay, the ministry expressed hope that the local governments would organize some cultural festivals to attract students and residents of the 53 cities and districts.

"This relay will be covered by foreign media outlets, and this event is an opportunity for us to introduce the rich cultures and tourism of Indonesia," Prabowo emphasized.

The flame of the Asian Games torch is directly lit by the rays of the sun that get reflected through a parabolic mirror. After being launched in India, the torch will be transported to the Mrapen eternal flame in Grobogan, Central Java, on July 18.

After passing through Java Island, the torch will traverse Bali, West Nusa Tenggara, and West Papua as well as cover South Sulawesi, South Kalimantan, Aceh, North Sumatra, Riau, West Sumatra, Jambi, South Sumatra, Lampung, Banten, and West Java.

The complete schedule of the torch relay in Indonesia: July 18 in Mrapen, Purwodadi District, Central Java; July 18-19 in Prambanan Temple, Sleman, Yogyakarta; July 19-20, Sriwedari Stadium in Surakarta, Central Java; July 20 in Sukoharjo and Wonogiri, Central Java; July 20-21 in Ponorogo, East Java; July 21 in Trenggalek and Tulungagung, East Java; July 21-22 in Blitar, East Java; July 22-23 in Bromo, Malang, East Java; July 23 in Probolinggo, East Java; July 24-26 in Ijen and Boom Beach during the Banyuwangi Festival, East Java; and July 26 at the Gilimanuk Port, Singaraja, Batur Lake, Bali.

Meanwhile, on July 26-27, the torch will be brought to Besakih Temple, Bali; in Kuta Beach, Bali, on July 27-28; in Denpasar on July 28; in Kuta and Garuda Wisnu Kencana Statue on July 28-29 during the Bali Festival; on July 29-31 in Sorong, West Papua, for the Raja Ampat Festival; on July 31 and Aug 1-2 in Makassar to Tanjung Bira Bay, South Sulawesi; on Aug 2-4 in Makassar, South Sulawesi; on Aug 4-7 in Jakabaring and Musi River for the Sriwijaya Festival in Palembang, South Sumatra; and on Aug 7-9 in Lampung.

The relay will continue during the Banten Festival in Serang, Banten, on Aug 9-10, followed by the Purwakarta Festival in Purwakarta, West Java, on Aug 10-11. Meanwhile, on Aug 11-13, the torch relay will support the West Java Festival at Mount Tangkuban Perahu, Lembang, and the Sate Building in Bandung.

On Aug 13-15, the torch will pass through Bogor, and the flame will arrive at the Jakarta City Hall on Aug 15 and the Merdeka Palace on Aug 16. The torch will be showcased on Aug 17 at the National Monument, Jakarta, and the relay will conclude at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium.

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