"We are delighted to be present in your beautiful country. The 2018 Asian Games has made a new history as for the first time in the history of Asia`s biggest sporting extravaganza, the Games are jointly hosted by two cities -Jakarta and Palembang," he said here on Saturday evening.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2018 Asian Games which took place at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (GBK) Senayan, Jakarta, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah said after a 56-year wait, Indonesia again hosted the Asian Games for the second time.
"The 18th Asian Games also made a new history in which the North and South Korean teams merged into one team," he stated.
The Kuwaiti contingent, who had to receive sanctions and had to be under an independent banner for several years, can take part in this Asia`s biggest multi-sport event by raising its own flag and national anthem, Sheikh Ahmad said.
Sheikh Ahmad expressed his gratitude to the Indonesian people as well as the leadership of President Joko Widodo and Vice President Jusuf Kalla for making Indonesia be the host of the Asian Games.
"We are also grateful to more than 30 thousand volunteers who have supported this Asia`s biggest sporting event. We cannot do it without your support. Thank you for the time and contribution to Indonesia`s glory," he said.
Meanwhile, Head of the Indonesian Asian Games 2018 Organizing Committee (INASGOC) Erick Thohir, in his opening remarks, said that the Asian nations are the nations that love harmony and peace.
"Indonesia believes that Asia is an amazing continent and as a land of diversity with the largest number of tribes and ethnic groups in the world," said Erick, who also serves as the Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI) president.
The Asian nations, he noted, with their demographic diversity, have become a dynamic and competitive Asian society.
"Asia has the diversity of the nations. We are all here to celebrate our diversity and humanity, and to channel energy from diverse nations to become one, namely the energy of Asia," he said.
Reporting by Imam Santoso
Editing by R. Nasution
Reporter: antara
Editor: Gusti Nur Cahya Aryani
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
