In a matter of days, the 18th Asian Games, the world’s second biggest multisport event, will officially
commence.

Thousands of people — athletes, officials, media and spectators — from across the continent have started to arrive in Jakarta and Palembang, South Sumatra, putting pressure on organizers to work their best to cater to the guests.

The 2018 Games have recorded new highs in terms of participating athletes, officials and
journalists.

A reported 17,244 athletes and officials will participate in the Games, which is higher than the previously estimated figure of 15,000. In terms of media coverage, the Games, which will run from Saturday to Sept. 2, will be covered by 5,000 journalists and 6,000 broadcast professionals.

More than 14,000 athletes and officials participated in the previous Games in Incheon, South Korea, in 2014.

Indonesian Asian Games Organizing Committee (INASGOC) chief Erick Thohir said on Tuesday that he was happy to see the enthusiasm surrounding the Games, as it indicated that Indonesia had earned the international community’s trust, and that the organizers would make the best of it.

“We now need to convince ourselves that our preparations have been sufficient because the numbers have exceeded expectations,” he added.

With more than 17,000 athletes and officials are set to participate in the Games, which will feature 465 events across 40 sports, Indonesia is more than ready to provide the participants with proper accommodation.

As the host, Indonesia will be represented by 937 athletes — the largest team in Indonesia’s Asian Games history. In total, 1,303 Indonesian athletes and officials will participate.

Meanwhile, defending champion China, which holds the record of nine overall wins, has sent a delegation of 845 athletes, including 19 Olympic champions.

The athletes village in Kemayoran, Jakarta, comprises 10 towers with rooms available for up to 21,000 people.

According to organizers, at least 5,000 athletes and officials have entered the athletes village in the capital. They come from 34 countries, including the Philippines, Syria, China and North Korea.

Meanwhile, the athletes village in cohost city Palembang is ready to house 3,100 athletes and officials in nine towers. As of Wednesday, the city had welcomed at least 350 athletes from 15 countries, including from South Korea, Japan and Thailand.

“I can guarantee that the capacities of both athlete villages are sufficient,” said Erick.

Based on the Games’ regulations, delegates are expected to check-in into the villages two days prior to the opening ceremony and check out one day after the closing ceremony.

“However, we cannot prohibit people from extending their stay, and this is something we need to prepare for in terms of accommodation, meals and transportation.

“We are happy with the number. Nevertheless, it also means that we have to work 24 hours a day to make sure there are no shortcomings,” said Erick.

The organizers have deployed 11,000 volunteers in Jakarta and 2,000 in Palembang to help run the Games.

On Wednesday, the organizers successfully staged the first day of the torch relay in Jakarta. In East Jakarta, the relay attracted 30,000 residents, including 5,000 students. The three-day Jakarta leg of the relay will end on Saturday when the torch will reach its final destination at the opening ceremony at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Senayan.

The opening ceremony is set to be a massive occasion, and will feature Grammy Award nominee pianist Joey Alexander as well as singers Anggun and Raisa.

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