Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia`s Foreign Ministry Retno LP Marsudi held a diplomatic walk of the 2018 Asian Games in the Bung Karno Sport Stadium complex, here, Sunday.

The fun walk was participated in by Minister Marsudi, and foreign as well as Indonesian ambassadors and other diplomats.

"The Asian Games is not just a sport competition but also a platform to expand our friendship," Minister Marsudi said.

The event was organized to see the preparations for the Asian Games. The first and last time Indonesia hosted the Asian Games was in 1962, the minister said.

This year, the Asian Games will be co-hosted by Jakarta and Palembang in South Sumatra Province, from Aug 18 to Sept 2.

The Minister called on the foreign diplomats to promote the planned implementation of the 18th Asian Games in their respective countries.

"Let`s light up the energy of Asia" she said.

The Asian Games Diplomatic Walk was also participated in by chairman of INASGOC (Indonesian Asian Games Organizing Committee) Erick Tohir and Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister AM Fachir.

The 2018 Asian Games` mascots - Bin-Bin, Atung and Kaka, also highlighted the fun walk event.

The Asian Olympic Council`s executive board had approved Indonesia to be the host of the 18th Asian Games on Sept 19, 2014.

Hanoi, was initially to be the host of the 18th Asian Games, but Vietnam later withdrew its offer.

The 18th Asian Games was initially to be held in 2019 but it is rescheduled for 2018 because Indonesia will hold presidential and legislative elections in 2019.

After more than five decades, the Asian Games will finally return to Indonesia`s capital city of Jakarta, a metropolitan hosting more than 12 million people during the work week.

Some 9.5 thousand athletes, 2.5 thousand personnel of the Asian Olympic Council, and 5.5 thousand technical delegates from 45 countries will participate or be involved in the event. At least 3.5 thousand media representatives are expected to cover the event.

reported by Aditya ES Wicaksono
(T.SYS/A/F001/F001)

Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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