Daily Times

KARACHI: The flame for the 18th Asian Games in Indonesia next month was ignited on Sunday at a ceremony in New Delhi, India – birthplace of the Olympic Council of Asia’s (OCA) premier sporting event in 1951. The Asian Games flame is kept permanently at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium and it was used to light the torch for the torch relay, which started with a symbolic first leg in the Indian capital and will end at the opening ceremony in Jakarta on August 18. “London 2012 Olympic boxing bronze medallist, five-time world champion and 2014 Incheon Asian Games champion Mary Kom was the first runner of 30 elite athletes and Indian sports dignitaries to take part in the relay. Badminton legend Susy Susanti, the 1992 Olympic Games women’s singles champion, was Indonesia’s designated Torch Relay Ambassador in New Delhi,” said a media release of the OCA Sunday. The chief guest was India’s Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel, who was joined by President of the Indian Olympic Association Dr Narinder Batra, and Secretary General Rajeev Mehta. The OCA was represented by two Life Vice Presidents Wei Jizhong and Raja Randhir Singh, who is also an Honorary IOC Member.

Wei described the flame-lighting ceremony as a “sacred occasion” held at the “Olympia of Asia” — New Delhi. “As we prepare to hold our 18th Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang next month, we salute the pioneers and the visionaries who wrote the first chapter in our incredible success story,” said Wei.

“We have built the path for others to follow – and we have displayed the power of sport to unite and embrace our athletes from all corners of the continent. As the Asian Games have grown over the decades we will never forget our roots here in New Delhi. This is where it all began – and this is why we will continue to come back to New Delhi every four years to start another Asian Games and to celebrate this spirit of friendship and solidarity. The passion for the Asian Games was ignited here in New Delhi 67 years ago – and burns stronger year by year, decade by decade. In Jakarta and Palembang we will witness the ‘Energy of Asia’ and another memorable Asian Games,” added Wei, referring to the official slogan of the 18th Asian Games.

The flame will be transported by the Indonesian Air Force back to Indonesia for a welcome ceremony in Yogyakarta on Tuesday. The domestic relay will then travel through 54 cities in 18 provinces, including the tourist hot spot of Bali and the co-host city Palembang, before arriving at the presidential palace in Jakarta on August 17 – the day before the opening ceremony. The 1,000 torch bearers will include legendary athletes and famous artists and the 18,000km route will feature relay runs, street festivals, sponsor activities and other celebrations ahead of Indonesia’s second hosting of the Asian Games and first since 1962. The 18th Asian Games will run from August 18 to September 2 in Jakarta and Palembang, capital of South Sumatra province. There will be 40 sports, 67 disciplines and 465 events and a record number of athletes – over 11,000 – from 45 National Olympic Committees affiliated to the OCA. The previous record was 9,704 athletes at the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, in 2010. The 18th Asian Games will also make history as it will feature unified Korean teams in women’s basketball, dragon boat racing and rowing – the first time North and South Korea have competed together in the Asian Games.

Published in Daily Times, July 16^th 2018.