RICKSHAW DRIVERS IN PALEMBANG TO PADDLE FOR SEA GAMES ATHLETES

KUALA LUMPUR, July 19 (Bernama) -- Sports authorities in the Indonesian city of Palembang will train 3,000 rickshaw drivers to carry athletes and officials from the Athletes Village to the competition venues in a bid to make the 26th SEA Games free from fuel-powered transportation.

Mudai Madang, second deputy director of Indonesian SEA Games Organisation Committee (Inasoc), was quoted by the Jakarta Post as saying that the committee had trained 300 rickshaw drivers so far.

"We trained the rickshaw drivers on skills for serving guests. They will later take athletes from the dormitory to the competition arena," he said.

The move was taken to empower the poor and make the Jakabaring Sports City -- the sporting complex where the games will be held -- free of transportation powered by fuel, he added.

Mudai said the committee had not yet determined the fare, saying they were still waiting for the confirmation on the budget available from the central government.

But it would definitely be higher than their normal daily income, he said.

Indonesia will host the games in two venues, Jakarta and Palembang, from Nov 11-25.