Opening Of The 2018 Asian Games: Indonesia Presents Artificial Waterfall At The GBK Main Stadium

The miniatures of mountains and artificial waterfalls that represent the natural beauty of Indonesia were present at the opening ceremony of the 2018 Asian Games. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The 2018 Asian Games is a big celebration for Indonesia. Preparations should not be arbitrary. However, the implementation was disturbed by funding and technical matters. The Indonesian government tries to'sweep' the budget.

Erick Thohir also tried to put up a body. The chairman of the 2018 Asian Games Organizing Committee (Inasgoc) tried to maximize everything. The results were satisfactory. The opening of the 2018 Asian Games was praised. Moreover, with the presence of artificial waterfalls.

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) actually did not choose Indonesia as the host of the 2018 Asian Games. OCA instead decided to choose Hanoi, Vietnam as the organizer in 2012. However, the Vietnamese government felt unable to build sports arenas and support Asian games.

Vietnam has resigned. OCA immediately acted quickly. They rushed to elect Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia as the new host in 2014. The Indonesian government agreed.

Erick Thohir was also elected as chairman of Inasgoc in 2015. The power of attorney believes that Erick Thohir is able to guarantee that the holding of the Asian Games will be lively and fast. Inasgoc also asked the government for a total fund of Rp. 8.7 trillion.

This amount is calculated based on the calculation of funds without private sponsorship. Funds are needed for the host's work contract, human and broadcast costs, to improve the required facilities. Problems arise. The application for Rp8.7 trillion was not approved.

The Vice President who is also the directional board of Inasgoc, Jusuf Kalla only agreed to IDR 4.5 trillion. This condition made Erick think again. He began to work together to cut the budget by eliminating activities that were not very important.

These activities include the Asian Youth Games. The government is starting to try to eliminate sports that are not important. However, the Asian Games are different from the SEA Games which can add and reduce sports at will.

Erick didn't give up. He continues to think about how to increase the budget for funds. Thank God more so that he can hold the 2018 Asian Games majestically.

"The calculation of costs for OCA and the elimination of the Asian Youth Games is reduced, our budget is IDR 7.4 trillion. We are looking for other savings. For example, only 36 live shows. We combine test bridge, boxing, and taekwondo events at JIExpo Kemayoran to save rent and transportation."

Similarly football, shifted from Bandung to Bekasi so that it is closer than the athlete's inn in Kemayoran. The honor of the test event committee will not be as big as the Asian Games. We don't know if we can reach a limit of IDR 4.5 trillion or not," said Erick as quoted by Tempo Magazine entitled Big Achievements Can't Be Impromptu (2017).

Inasgoc is starting to race against time. They began to seek additional funding, including from sponsors. They try not to worry too much. Because they have the last option. That option is pruning from other posts.

The cuts can be seen from the opening-closing Ceremony Asian Games 2018. The initial budget proposed by Inasgoc reached 52 million US dollars, but was cut to 32 million US dollars. However, the cuts did not make the opening ceremony of the 2018 Asian Games disrupted.

The opening ceremony of the Asian Games took place on time at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (GBK) on August 18, 2018. The opening of the event was carried out with totality, even though it was constrained by financial matters. The opening carries the theme Energy of Asia.

Erick Thohir's big name and Creative Director of the 2018 Asian Games Opening Ceremony, Wishnutama is at stake. Inasgoc is optimistic that the opening of the 2018 Asian Games will be able to break the eyes of the world.

Sure enough, the opening went majestically. Indonesia tries to present a miniature of the mountain complete with its waterfall. The rest of the miniatures were filled with more than 12,775 plants and flowers. The thing that most shocked the audience was the presence of artificial waterfalls.

The waterfall was made 17 meters long and then flowed with 140 thousand liters of water and three thousand square meters of green grass which covered the miniature. People were amazed by the beauty of artificial waterfalls. This beauty is similar to the natural waterfalls throughout the archipelago.

Those who watched live from home and at GBK were immediately amazed. Indonesia is considered capable of showing real Asian energy. International mass media also participated in throwing praise.

The opening stage of the Asian Games consists of 175 parts that are made manually from artists from Bandung and Jakarta. Inasgoc also did not forget to present a variety of Indonesian culture.

All praise leads to the greatness of Indonesia presenting stunning entertainment. Indonesia, which in fact was appointed as the organizer in a short time, could present a fast opening ceremony. Luxury too.

"We want to show the natural beauty and diversity of Indonesian culture at the opening of the Asian Games. The beauty and diversity of culture will strengthen our sense of pride and love for this nation and country".

The miniature mountain concept (and waterfall) will also be strengthened by projector technology and lighting that will make it look more beautiful. The mountain-shaped stage is still under construction and from the beginning it is estimated that three months of construction will take," said Wishnutama long before the opening as quoted by ANTARA, July 19, 2018.