... I am proud and grateful for this opportunity. Hence, I am preparing myself by increasing training for running...
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Asian Games 2018 Torch Relay will start from India on July 15 and make it way through 51 cities in Indonesia, finally ending in Jakarta on the games' opening day on Aug 18th.

According to a statement released by the Indonesia Asian Games Organizing Committee (INASGOC) here on Thursday, the torch will be received by President Joko Widodo after Indonesia's Independence Day ceremony on Aug 17th.

INASGOC has also appointed some Indonesian celebrities to carry the Asian Games torch in Jakarta, such as actress Dian Sastrowardojo, actress and singer Mikha Tambayong, actor and model Hamish Daud, and Chicco Jerikho.

"I am proud and grateful for this opportunity. Hence, I am preparing myself by increasing training for running," Sastrowardojo, who will carry the Asian Games 2018 torch in Solo, Central Java, stated.

The same sentiment was also echoed by Tambayong, who will carry the torch in Palembang, South Sumatra, where 11 sports will be contested for the first time, as the Asian Games are being co-hosted in two cities.

The Indonesian capital of Jakarta, which was also the host city for the first time in 1962, will host 29 sports competitions.

The Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Jakarta will host the opening and closing ceremonies of the games. Up to 45 nations across Asia are participating in 462 events across 40 sports disciplines.

Reporter: Azizah Fitriyanti
Editor: Ade P Marboen
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