Asian Games torch touches down in Bali

The Asian Games torch makes its away through Denpasar on a relay on July 24, 2018. Photo: Denpasar Kota.
The Asian Games torch makes its away through Denpasar on a relay on July 24, 2018. Photo: Denpasar Kota.

The torch of the 2018 Asian Games touched down in Bali on Monday and will stay on the Island of the Gods for a three-day touring event.

The torch arrived at West Bali’s Gilimanuk Port before making its way down to Kuta Beach yesterday. Planned stops on the torch’s Bali trip include points of interest like the famous Tanah Lot Temple, Tampaksiring Palace, and the Bajra Sandi monument in Renon. From Bali, the torch will go on next to Lombok aboard a flight on July 25 from Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport (apparently there are exceptions to the no flames on board rule).

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Bali was chosen along with 54 other cities across 18 provinces in Indonesia for the Torch Relay. Before coming to Bali the flame of the torch originated in New Delhi, India. Then a “unification ceremony” was held at Prambanan Temple in Java, where the Indian flame was combined with an Indonesian natural eternal flame.

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The Asian Games is a continental, multi-sport event. It’s held every four years and is regarded as the second largest multi-sporting event in the world after the Olympic Games.

The Asian Games IXIII will open on August 18 at Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta and will take place until September 2 between two locations: Jakarta and Palembang, South Sumatra. This is Indonesia’s second time hosting the games since 1962.

Up to 45 countries across Asia will be participating in 462 events covering 40 sports this year.

Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika gave a speech on Monday in Bali at Kuta Beach during the Games’ welcoming ceremony, instilling a sense of Indonesian pride.

“Hopefully the Indonesian Raya song (the national anthem) continues to reverberate in every game. We are all proud we can fight in the Asian Games XVIII. Hopefully this can be a flame of enthusiasm for all of us,” Pastika stated in his speech, as quoted by Sindonews.



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