Palembang, South Sumatra (ANTARA News) - Around 400 bicycles have been made available for participants of the 26th SEA Games, being held here from November 11-22, 2011.

Participating athletes were encouraged to use bicycles in the Jakabaring sport complex area during the Games, Muddai Madang, the chairman of the South Sumatra`s KONI (Indonesian National Sport Committee) said here on Thursday.

The Jakabaring sport complex is a pollution-free area therefore motorcycles and cars are not allowed to enter the area.

During the 26th SEA Games, as many as 296 sport branches will be competed in Palembang and the other 266 branches in Jakarta.

The opening and closing ceremonies of the SEA Games will be held in the Jakabaring sport complex, Palembang.

The 26th South East Asia (SEA) Games is expected to become an effective tourism promotion and create more economic activities in the regions.

"This event will be a very effective tourism promotion media," the home affairs promotion director of the tourism and Economic Creative Ministry Muhammad Faried said in Jakarta on Wednesday (Nov 9).

Sports and tourism are inseparable linked to one another, because they complementary.

The tourism and Economic Creative Ministry will make the 26th SEA Games one of the tourism promotion facilities, he said.
(Uu.F001/HAJM/O001)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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