By Hishan Welmilla

The 18th edition of the Asian Games kicks off in Jakarta at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium this weekend, welcoming 45 countries to compete in 40 different sports. Southeast Asia Globe picks out five competitors to watch at this year’s games

The 2018 Asian Games will be held in the Indonesian cities of Jakarta and Palembang from August 18 to September 2.

India hosted the first edition way back in 1951.

This is Indonesia second time hosting the games, its first being in 1962. That year, the world’s fourth most populous country finished second behind Japan, claiming 51 medals. Only seven countries have competed in every edition of the Asian Games: India, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Singapore and Thailand

For the first time in its 67-year history, the Asian Games will be held in two cities: Indonesia’s capital of Jakarta and Palembang in South Sumatra province. The opening ceremony gets the huge sporting event underway this Saturday. The 16-day competition runs to 2 September, featuring 484 events.

This year’s games feature two new demonstration events: canoe polo and esports. Esports, also known as competitive video gaming, is rapidly gaining popularity and is expected to be included as a medal event at the next Asian Games in 2022.

Many top athletes will be competing in this year’s tournament, showcasing the best of Asia’s sporting prowess – including the oldest competitor, age 81, for a diverse field of sporting events and stars. Here, we look at five of the game’s must-see competitors.

Sri Lankans Arrived

Sri Lanka’s first batch of athletes – swimming and taekwondo – arrived yesterday afternoon (Wednesday). They were met at the Jakarta Airport by Fernando and deputy chef de mission Gamini Jayasinghe.

“From today our athletes will start trickling in. The final number is 163 athletes and 75 officials,” Fernando revealed. “Everything is going along smoothly. Of course, traffic is really congested in Jakarta but thankfully all the venues are quite close to the Athletes Village and they also have special lanes for Asian Games vehicles.”

Asian Games torch reaches Jakarta

The torch for the 18th Asian Games reached Indonesia’s capital Jakarta on Wednesday (Aug 15), ending a month-long journey across the Southeast Asian archipelago nation.

It was welcomed in style by marching bands, traditional dances and concerts, after starting its journey in the host country’s cultural centre Yogyakarta on July 17.

 

100,000 Police And Soldiers To Provide Security

Indonesia is deploying 100,000 police and soldiers to provide security for the 2018 Asian Games, the biggest event ever held in its terror attack-prone capital Jakarta, parts of which have been dramatically spruced up as the city readies to welcome tens of thousands of athletes and visitors.

The 18th Asian Games, which run until September 2, are being held in Jakarta, Palembang on the island of Sumatra, and in West Java. About 12,000 athletes, support staff and officials and 5000 journalists are expected.

All venues are finished and tested with only beautification work being carried out just days before Saturday’s opening ceremony, said organising committee member and Sports Ministry Secretary Gatot Dewa Broto, who pronounced the facilities “extremely wonderful.”

An opening ceremony involving 5000 performers is planned with a mythological theme, flying people and, indispensably in a country of dozens of active volcanoes, a mountain that erupts, albeit a “very small eruption,” Dewa Broto said.