SPORTS> Off the Pitch
Quakes fail to deter Indonesians from watching Cup
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-06-20 11:49

Soccer enthusiasts in Indonesia's Lampung province would not miss the World Cup, the world's most watched soccer event, on televisions despite continued aftershocks that jolted the province almost every day.

Residents in the provincial capital of Bandar Lampung bring televisions outdoor to seek a safer place to watch the tournament, the national Antara news agency reported Monday.

"The quake strikes Bandar lampung almost everyday, also during the live broadcast of World Cup. We bring the television outside due to insecure feeling in our homes," a resident identified as Anto was quoted as saying.

He said watching TV outdoor turned out to be a lot enjoyable as it brings more audience and allows them to shout louder.

The World Cup is broadcast live in Indonesia by local TV station SCTV. Due to time difference, the first game begins at 20:00 Jakarta time and the last at 02:00.

Udin, another resident, said he and his neighbors continued to follow the games on televisions while remain vigilant to the quakes.

"What can we do? This (earthquake) comes from God," he said

Lampung, located on the southern tip of Sumatra island, some 125 km west of Jakarta, has been jolted by earthquakes over the last few weeks with the strongest measuring at 5.6 on the Richter scale.