VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) officially opened the Asian Games, the XVIII Asian Games in 2018, at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (GBK), Senayan, Jakarta, Saturday (8/18) night. Previously President Jokowi said that on behalf of all Indonesian people, he was proud and honored on the arrival of distinguished guests from 45 countries. Through the Asian Games XVIII, the President continued, Asian nations wanted to show that they are all brothers and sisters. He also stated that in the 18th Asian Games, all nations in Asia seek to show kinship between countries. Before President Jokowi opened the event, an Indonesia singer, Tulus led the audience to sing Indonesian national anthem, Indonesia Raya, followed by a moment of silence for the victims of the earthquake in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). Subsequently, Indonesia Asian Games 2018 Organizing Committee (INASGOC) Chair Erick Tohir delivered his report, followed by a remark by Asian Olympic Council (OCA) President Syekh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah. As previously reported, the Asian Games XVIII is participated in by around 16,000 athletes from 45 participating countries, held in Jakarta and Palembang, South Sumatra, on August 18 to September 2. As the Host of the Asian Games, Indonesia sends 1,388 people consisting of 938 athletes, 396 officials who will take part in the 40 sports events. (Release Setkab)