TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

Jokowi opens Asian Games in dazzling ceremony

Ramadani Saputra (The Jakarta Post)
Jakarta
Sat, August 18, 2018

Share This Article

Change Size

Jokowi opens Asian Games in dazzling ceremony     A fireworks display marks the opening of the 18th Asian Games at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on Saturday night. (INASGOC via Antara/Widodo S Jusuf)

P

resident Joko “Jokowi” Widodo officially opened on Saturday night Asia’s biggest sporting event at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, in a dazzling ceremony that showcased the nation’s traditional cultures.

“On behalf of the Indonesian people, we are proud and we are honored to welcome our special guests from 45 countries. With the 18th Asian Games, we, the nations of Asia, want to show [the world] that we are brothers, we are united and we want to reach our goals,” said the President, who entered the venue riding a motorcycle. 

President Joko
President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo rides a motorcycle while entering the venue of the opening ceremony of the 18th Asian Games, Gelora Bung Karno Stadium. (INASGOC via Antara/Dhoni Setiawan )

"By saying bismillahhirohmanirrohim [in the name of God, the most gracious and merciful], I declare that the 18th Asian Games are open."

Witnessed by around 40,000 spectators inside Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, the ceremony opened with 2,200 high school dancers from 18 senior high schools across the capital who enchanted the audience with the Saman dance, a traditional dance from Aceh, the westernmost province in the country.

Welcomed by the dancers, thousands of athletes from 44 National Olympic Committee (NOC) contingents then started to walk into the arena in front of a grandiose stage designed to resemble a mountain.

Saudi Arabian athletes watch the opening ceremony of the 18th Asian Games at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on Saturday.
Saudi Arabian athletes watch the opening ceremony of the 18th Asian Games at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on Saturday. (INASGOC via Antara/Wahyudin)

Each contingent was led by a representative that wore a bird-shaped costume designed by Dynand Fariz, who is famous for his creations from the Jember Fashion Carnaval, an annual parade.

After all contingents entered the arena, spectators immediately cheered loudly when the country’s team entered the arena as the last contingent of the night.

This is Indonesia's second time hosting the Asian Games, having previously done so in 1962 in Jakarta. (ahw)

{

Your Opinion Matters

Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.