Palembang, S Sumatra, (ANTARA News) - Indonesia Asian Games Organizing Committee Chairman Erick Thohir visited Palembang on Saturday to inspect the preparation for the Asian Games 2018, which is only a few days away.

"I came here to assure Palembang`s readiness 20 days ahead of the event. As far I have seen, everything has been good like in Jakarta, West Java, and Banten," he stated on the sidelines of inauguration of 24 Hours Emergency Unit service at Siloam Hospital at Jakabaring Sports City.

He noted that centralization of venues at JSC has made it easy for Palembang to co-host the event.

Palembang has been appointed to co-host the Asian biggest sporting event with Jakarta from Aug 18 to Sept 2.

The capital city of South Sumatra province has recently completed its Light Rail Transit (LRT) system that will ease transportation of contingents from the Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II airport to JSC.

Six apartment towers have also been set up to accommodate athletes and officials who will be involved in the event, which is to be attended by 45 countries.

Thohir, however, noted that maximum efforts must be made in order to assure perfect preparation of facilities for the big event.

He added that the event in Indonesia this year is different from the last in Incheon, South Korea, in that the number of participating countries was 20 percent higher.

He remarked that the committee has received a list of athletes and officials to be involved in the event, which totals around 17,195, and three thousand out of them will go to Palembang.

Palembang will host 14 events, including bowling, tennis, shooting, rowing, women football, skateboarding, rock climbing, and others.

Reporting by Dolly Rosana

Reporter: Antara
Editor: Yosep Hariyadi
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