The Asian Games (ASIAD) 2018 torch reached Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia on 15 August, ending a month-long journey across 54 cities in the Southeast Asian nation.

The Asian Games 2018 torch reaches Jakarta, Indonesia on 15 August, ending a month-long journey across 54 cities in the Southeast Asian nation. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

The torch was welcomed by marching bands and renowned dancers in a festival in the capital.

The flame was lit in India’s capital of New Delhi where the first ASIAD was hosted in 1951. It arrived in Indonesia on 5 July before starting its 18,000km cross-country journey at the cultural centre Yogyakarta on 17 July.

The Indonesian ASIAD Organising Committee has spent big on the torch relay. The torch was even carried on a plane before passing many rivers and straits in the archipelago country.

The torch is set to arrive at the Gelora Bung Karno stadium for the Games’ opening ceremony on 18 August.

The 18^th ASIAD, Asia’s biggest sporting event, will take place in the two major Indonesian cities - Jakarta and Palembang – from 18 August to 2 September. The country is expected to host some 11,000 athletes from 45 Asian countries and territories competing in 67 sports.

The Vietnamese sport delegation to the event comprises 523 members, including 352 athletes and 81 coaches. The athletes will compete in 32 out of 40 events, and the country targets at least three gold medals this year.

Medal hopefuls include Olympic gold medalist shooter Hoang Xuan Vinh, weightlifters Thach Kim Tuan and Trinh Van Vinh, swimmer Nguyen Thi Anh Vien, cyclist Nguyen Thi That and Wushu artist Duong Thuy Vi.

(Source: VNA)