OCA finalised 42 sports, 484 events for 2018 Asian Games

KUALA LUMPUR: The Olympic Council of Asia has announced the maximum 42 sports and 484 events for the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia, in 2018.

The Committee Chairman Tsunekazu Takeda said the sixth meeting of the OCA Coordination Committee for the 18th Asian Games held yesterday has finalised the number of sports and neither figure will be increased.

“This is the maximum number of sports and events, and the number may be reduced and we will check again in one month. Overall the OCA is very satisfied with the result of this meeting and I am confident the Asian Games in 2018 will be a great success,” he said in a statement issued by OCA yesterday.

The meeting, which began in Palembang on Sunday and continued in Jakarta on Monday, also heard presentations on marketing, TV and broadcasting, medical and anti-doping, the torch relay, games promotion, volunteers and protocol.

Meanwhile, OCA Directorgeneral Husain Al Musallam said cricket, paragliding and jetski might still be dropped from the sports programme, depending on a number of issues concerning the relevant Asian Sports Federations.

Al Musallam said the sixth OCA Coordination Committee meeting had witnessed progress in Palembang and that work was continuing at a good pace in Jakarta.

However, he stressed that the construction of all new venues must be approved by the relevant sports authorities on technical requirements, as well as TV and host broadcaster demands on lighting, sound and LED screens.

“Indonesia last organised the Asian Games in 1962 and there have been big changes in sports since then. Indonesia needs to upgrade all sports infrastructure and city infrastructure, and what the OCA needs to see is more coordination between the different departments,” said Al Musallam.

The 18th Asian Games will be held in Jakarta and Palembang from Aug 18 to Sept 2, 2018.

Of the 42 sports, Palembang will host 10 at the Jakabaring Sports City.

A series of test events in 10 sports will be conducted in Jakarta this October and November, but all sports on the programme will be tested in the relevant venues in time for the start of the Asian Games in 17 months’ time. - Bernama