Fireworks over Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (Source: AFP)
Jakarta, PINUS PRESS – The 2018 Asian Games, known officially as the 18th Asian Games, was officially opened on Saturday, 18 August 2018. There are 462 events across 40 disciplines being contested in this year’s Asian Games, making it the second largest Asian games in history. All 46 members of the Olympic Council of Asia are participating in the games, with North and South Korea competing as a unified team in some events. Kuwait and Palestine are also participating in the Asian Games after the ban from the Olympics was provisionally removed two days before.
The opening ceremony was held at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Jakarta and was attended by the Indonesian President, Joko Widodo. Jokowi, the nickname for the President, also made headlines after a motorbike stuntman posing as him did a motorbike stunt at the opening ceremony. 45 contingents from 46 countries (North and South Korea marched together under the same flag) marched through the Stadium after a speech by Jokowi. After numerous performances by thousands of dancers, the Asian Games flame was finally lit by national badminton player and Olympic Gold Medallist Susi Susanti.
“During the 18th Asian Games we, the nations of Asia, want to show that we are one in brotherhood,” Jokowi said during the opening ceremony.
The Games is held from 18 August to 2 September 2018 mainly in Jakarta and Palembang. Some other cities such as Bandung also held some events of the Games. Jakarta was appointed to be the host of the 18th Asian Games on 2014 after Hanoi withdrew from hosting the Games. This was the second time the Asian Games was held in Indonesia after the 4th Asian Games in 1962.
Up to the point of this article’s writing, Indonesia has won 68 medals, including 23 golds. This put Indonesia on the fourth spot after China, Japan, and South Korea. 8 gold medals were won from Pencak Silat, 3 from Sport Climbing, 2 from Mountain Bike, 2 from Paragliding, and the rest were won from other sports. Some notable gold medal winners include Jonatan Christie, who just won gold for Badminton men’s single, and Lindswell Kwok, who won gold for Wushu early in the Games.
The Games is set to be an opportunity for Indonesia to showcase its diversity and culture. The logo of this year’s Games, Energy of Asia represents “strengthening spirit of the Games, participated in by multicultural nations shining for all the world to see.” This year, the mascots, Bhin Bhin, Atung and Kaka, are inspired by traditional attire in Papua, Jakarta and Palembang. There were also numerous cultural performances from across the 17,000-island wide country.
Economically, Bambang Brodjonegoro, Minister for National Planning (Bappenas), estimates that hosting the Asian Games will facilitate a cash flow of Rp. 45.1 trillion to the Indonesian economy through the tourism influx. In addition, Rp. 34 trillion worth of investment in infrastructure for the organization of the event were also brought.
Pinus Press 