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AKARTA: Indonesia is showing interest in holding the 2019 Asian Games by planning intensified lobbying activities to lure supports from 45 Asian countries.

“We will be presenting our campaign and declaring ourselves ready to become the host,” Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI) president Rita Subowo said in Jakarta on Monday as quoted by Antara news agency.

KOI has appointed Surabaya, the capital city of East Java, as the host city. It will compete with Hanoi (Vietnam) and Dubai (United Arab Emirates) to host the 18th edition of the quadrennial multi-event sporting showcase among Asian nations.

Rita and East Java Governor Soekarwo met Vice President Boediono on Monday to report on the Asian Games plan.

Jakarta hosted the event in 1962. Indonesia’s bid for 2006 games faltered with Doha, Qatar, chosen as the host.

The 2010 games were held in Guangzhou, China, and with the following games to take place in Incheon, South Korea, in 2014, the 18th edition takes place in 2018. However, the Olympic Committee of Asia (OCA) has decided to move the games within one year before the Summer Olympics. The OCA will decide the host in its next meeting in Macau on Nov.8.