“We have about 140 days to finish our preparations for the Asian Games and, with the work we have already done, I can say that we are ready to have a successful Asian Games,” he said. “In February we had a test event with eight sports and this was very useful for us. We learned a lot. The test event provided us with many lessons in several areas such as Arrival and Departure, medical services and the Athletes’ Village.”

Mr Herryanto outlined the key events coming up, the most important being the Torch Relay. The flame will be lit in New Delhi, India – venue for the first Asian Games in 1951 – on July 15 and will then embark on a month-long, 18,000km tour of Indonesia talking in 40 cities. Mr Herryanto said the flame would be received by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, HE Joko Widodo, at the presidential palace on August 17 – the day before the opening ceremony.

Reading out a message from the OCA President, HE Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah, OCA Media Committee member Mr Tony Mariadass of Malaysia said the Asian Games were admired and envied by the other four continental associations in the Olympic movement.

“The OCA is very grateful for the long and loyal support of the Asian media in building up the Asian Games to become the second biggest international multi-sport event after the Summer Olympics. The media have played a big part in this success story,” he said.

*The 18th Asian Games will be held from August 18 to September 2, 2018, with 10,000 athletes from 45 National Olympic Committees competing in 40 sports, 67 disciplines and 463 events. In addition, there will be 5,000 media, including 1,500 from Indonesia, 5,000 team officials from the 45 NOCs and 30,000 volunteers and workforce.