VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian badminton legend Susy Susanti has said that the Asian Games torch, which she has just picked up from New Delhi, is a symbol of friendship between Indonesia and India.

The torch would also serve as a symbol for the success of the Asian Games implementation and for the athletes of Indonesia, as the host, she said upon her arrival in Yogyakarta on Tuesday from India.

"The process of (carrying) the Asian Games flame is an amazing experience for me. The process was smooth, except for a minor obstacle while trying to enter the airport in India," she told the press.

Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Air Force Marshal, Yuyu Sutisna, confirmed that there was a problem when the New Delhi airport authorities tried to stop them from carrying the torch.

"In accordance with civil aviation safety, even a cigarette is not allowed on a plane. But, we had sought permission from the local authorities to take the Asian Games flame (to Indonesia), although the process of obtaining the permission took time," he stated.

The Asian Games torch was carried to Yogyakarta from New Delhi aboard a Boeing 737-500 owned by the Indonesian Air Force. The flight took around 11 hours.

"We departed (for New Delhi) to pick up the torch on Saturday (July 14). The flame was kept for one night at the Indonesian embassy in India, before being taken to Indonesia by plane," he remarked.

Yogyakarta has been selected as the start of the Asian Games torch relay in Indonesia because it is known as the city of culture, history, education, and tourism, according to Erick Thohir, chairman of the Indonesian Organizing Committee of Asian Games 2018.

Choosing the right city as the start line of the Asian Games torch rally is important because Asian Games is not just a mere sport event but is a means to promote the tourism and image of Indonesia worldwide, he remarked.

"Yogyakarta is a historic city, and we want to promote its tourism," Thohir revealed.

The 2018 Asian Games torch relay began its 18,000-kilometer journey on Sunday from the National Stadium in New Delhi, where the flame was lit for the first time at the inaugural edition in 1951.

In Indonesia, the relay will cover 18 provinces across the country, prior to the implementation of the 18th Asian Games, which would be co-hosted by Jakarta and the South Sumatra provincial capital of Palembang from Aug 18 to Sept 2, 2018. (ANTARA)