Praise at last for troubled Southeast Asian Games

Indonesia basked in praise Saturday for its dazzling $17 million Southeast Asian Games opening ceremony, but controversy lingered as the impact of delays fed into the competition. It emerged on Saturday that rowers were handed a bye into Friday's finals after frantic late work on the Cipule Lake venue, some 80 kilometres (50 miles) from Jakarta, forced the cancellation of the qualifying rounds. In the competition, home favourite Eka Oktarorianus bagged two golds in the 1000 metres single and doubles canoeing to earn himself a cool 200 million rupiah government bonus for each gold -- a total of $45,000. His win helped Indonesia steal a march on the other 10 competing nations by Saturday afternoon with 10 golds the highlight of an overall medal haul of 20, with nearest rival Singapore on 13 medals, three of them gold. The opening ceremony late Friday in the South Sumatran city of Palembang thrilled spectators as Games organisers Inasoc sought to banish the graft allegations, delays and poor planning that have dogged the build-up. A packed stadium cheered as dancers performed to a backdrop of fireworks and lasers with millions more tuning in on televisions across the island archipelago to see the Games' cauldron ignited by a flaming spear. Thousands gathered, including athletes from the 11 competing nations, in central Jakarta where the three-hour ceremony was broadcast on big screens. "It was a big relief after all the negative comments we have received," said Ratna Irsana Marhaendra a director from Games organisers Inasoc. "It was a very good moment and hopefully we have put the problems behind us. As of today, everything is OK with the SEA Games." With the eyes of the region watching, Indonesians are keen to see their $60 million investment in the competition rewarded with success. The competition has been dominated by a corruption scandal and a funding row between the government and Games organisers Inasoc, which nearly saw them walk out a few weeks before the start. Fears of disinterest among Indonesians, exacerbated by a faulty ticketing system on the Games' website, were overblown, according to Marhaendra. "The stadium was very full for Indonesia's football match against Singapore on Friday. I think people are very excited... especially after the opening" she said, adding Games-related topics were also trending highly on Twitter. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was the guest of honour at the opening ceremony -- which was briefly interrupted by a sudden downpour. "It was a special show," said Laos' Vovinam -- a Vietnemaese martial art -- coach Nguyen Thanh Sang. "They (Indonesia) can be very happy." "Now the world can see that we can do good things," said 19-year-old Games volunteer Eva Noviyanty. "I am so proud." Indonesia was awarded the Games in 2006, but the government has faced criticism for failing to release cash to Inasoc to build venues, which caused an embarrassing delay to the athletes' village in Palembang. In an echo of India's graft-hit Commonwealth Games last year, the ruling party's treasurer allegedly pocketed $3 million in bribes from a firm seeking tenders, and then fled to Colombia with the spoils. The capital got into full swing for the Games on Saturday, with thousands of volunteers wearing Games' t-shirts, some with 'We Care!' emblazoned on the back, while banners proclaiming "Indonesia Can Do it!" hung from bridges above the city's notoriously gridlocked roads. Weekend traffic eased but concerns the capital's roads will be made impassable by the 12,000 athletes, officials and staff, as well as thousands of spectators, are likely to be tested as the working week begins on Monday. The biennial Games are big news in Southeast Asia, capturing the imagination of the competing nations, with dozens of gold medals and regional bragging rights up for grabs.