2018 Asian Games

XVIII Asian Games
Host city Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia[1]
Opening ceremony August 18, 2018[2]
Closing ceremony September 2, 2018
Main venue Gelora Bung Karno Stadium[3]
<  2014 2023  >

The 2018 Asian Games is the 18th edition of a regional multi-sport event in Asia which will be planned to be hosted by Indonesia from August 18 – September 2, 2018. 38 sports and disciplines will be featured in the Games,[4] many of these events mainly will be held in two cities which are Jakarta, the national capital city, and Palembang, the capital city of South Sumatra province. Later, two provinces that surround Jakarta which are Banten and West Java also planned to support the Games with their existing sport venues.[5] Indonesia was approved as the host of the Games by Olympic Council of Asia executive board on September 19, 2014.[6] They will host the Games in 2018 rather than original planned of 2019 to avoid the presidential election.[7]

Originally Hanoi, Vietnam was chosen as the host.[8] However, they withdrew due to the financial constraints.[9] The official mascot and logo originally to be unveiled on January 7, 2015,[10] but postponed to February due to AirAsia Flight 8501 tragedy.[11]

Bidding and development

2012

Originally, Hanoi was chosen after OCA shortlisted also Surabaya and Dubai as the candidates to run for the host. They was announced on November 8, 2012, in Macau, beating Surabaya by 29 votes 'for' versus 14 'against'.[12] After the loss, Indonesian delegation members claimed that Hanoi's win was influenced by China's huge interest in the country. Dubai pulled out at the last minute, instead announcing their intention to focus on future bids.[13] The committee's first vice-president, however, denied any pullout and claimed the UAE's National Olympic Committee "did not apply for hosting 2019 Asian Games" and "only considered" doing so.[14]

After winning the rights, the organizing committee of Hanoi estimated they can host the Games at a cost of approximately US$150 million,[8] with several facilities being built or upgraded. The athletes' village is planned to be built in Thượng Thanh in Long Bien District, with a capacity of 11,000, while some new facilities will also be built in Xuân Trạch.[15]

Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, New Delhi and Taipei either had expressed the interest or submitted the bids,[16][17][18] but withdrew for some reasons, mainly due to the financial constraints and corruption allegations.[19][20][21][22][23]

Concerns and withdrawal

Previous Host City Spent
Year City Billion
of Dollar[24]
2002 South Korea Busan 2.9
2006 Qatar Doha 2.8
2010 China Guangzhou 20
2014 South Korea Incheon 1.6

In March 2014, lawmakers first raised concerns on whether US$150 million is a realistic budget for the Games, by referring to the amount spent by the previous host city, and claimed that the government may eventually spend over US$300 million. In addition, several stadiums built in conjunction with 2003 Southeast Asian Games were not utilised after the regional events.[25] Former chairman of Vietnam Olympic Committee Ha Quang Du also added that hosting the Asian Games would not boost tourism in Vietnam.[26]

However, on April 11, 2014, Vuong Bich Thang, head of the General Department of Sports and Physical Training, assured that 80% of the facilities are available and US$150 million is enough to host the Games. He added that no new athletes' village would be built, but instead hotels, dormitories, and residential quarters would be provided for participating athletes and officials.[24] The World Bank confirmed that there would be no loans for Vietnam for the purpose of building Asiad facilities.[27]

On April 17, 2014, Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung officially announced Hanoi's withdrawal from hosting the games. He cited unpreparedness and economic recession as the main reasons of the withdrawal, as they have left the country unable to afford the construction of facilities and venues.[9] Statistics imply that the majority of Vietnamese are happy with this decision.[28]

The OCA has announced that is no penalty will be imposed for the withdrawal.[29]

Potential cities takeover

After the withdrawal, the OCA has said that Indonesia, China and the United Arab Emirates are candidates for the replacement of Hanoi.[30]

Indonesia was considered as a favourite, after Surabaya was lost its bids back in 2012,[31] and willing to do so if selected.[32] Philippines also interested by submitted its bids on August 30, 2014 after their visit at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games.[33]

India had expressed interest and awaiting government approval. New Delhi considered as potential host.[34] However on July 7, 2014, India failed to submit late bid after failing to get an audience with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, having given an extended deadline by OCA.[35]

Meanwhile, Chinese Taipei's Kaohsiung claimed they would spend one month for evaluating the possibility of hosting the Games.[36] Another city, New Taipei City is bidding for the 2023 Games.[37] Malaysia only considering if OCA contributes funding as the cost of hosting the games at short notice are considered too high.[38] Tunku Muda Serting Imran has suggested that Malaysia could bid jointly with Singapore in order to manage the rising costs.[39] However, Youth and Sports Minister denied any plan to host and stated that their top priority is for the 2017 Southeast Asian Games.[40]

Several countries had ruled out the possibility to host the Games. Myanmar downplayed the chance due to lack of expertise and manpower in organisation.[41] Thailand stating that five years time is not enough to prepare adequately.[42] Japan and Singapore had not interested due to other commitment. Japan is due to host the 2019 Rugby World Cup and 2020 Summer Olympics,[43] while Singapore focusing on 2015 Southeast Asian Games.[44] China has no plan to take over.[45]

Announcement

On July 25, 2014, during the meeting in Kuwait City, the OCA has appointed Jakarta as host of the Games. Jakarta will be supported by Palembang as the supporting host. The Indonesian capital city was chosen because it has well-equipped sport facilities as well as adequate transportation networks, and other facilities such hotels and lodgings for guests. The Games however, was said to be rescheduled a year earlier, shifted from originally planned 2019 to 2018, citing that in 2019 Indonesians will be preoccupied by their Presidential election, and Jakarta would only need a relatively minimal times to upgrade and renovate their existing sports facilities. The last time Indonesia and Jakarta host the games was in 1962.[46] On the closing ceremony of 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, Indonesia appointed symbolically by OCA to host the next Games.

Organisation

Venues

On January 7, 2015, it was announced that the athlete village and aquatics center will be build in Kemayoran.[47] A media centre will also build in the subdistrict that will serve together with Jakarta Convention Center.[48] The organisation hopes to keep the cost down by using the existing sports facilities and infrastructure, including those venues built for the 2011 Southeast Asian Games.[49] South Sumatra's provincial government claim that they are ready to held at least 18 sport disciplines with thir existing Jakabaring Sport City complex. They will renovate some of facilities in the complex, including the capacity upgrade of Gelora Sriwijaya Stadium from 40,000 to 60,000 seats and lengthen the Jakabaring Lake to 2,300 meters.[50]

Transport

As part of the Games preparation, the constructions of Jakarta Mass Rapid Transit will be accelerated.[51] Palembang will also upgrade their transportation facilities by building 24.5 kilometers long of Light Rail Transit from Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International Airport to Jakabaring Sport City.[52] Some other transportation facilities such as underpasses, flyovers, and bridges will be also built in the city.[53]

Costs

The government has allocated a budget of IDR3 trillion to prepare for the Games, with regional administrations also expected to supply the funding.[49]

Games

Sports

The 2018 Asian Games featured 28 Olympic sports and six non-Olympic sport. For the first time, Pencak Silat will feature in the Games.[48]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Odi Aria Saputra (April 10, 2015). "Keppres Asian Games Turun Pertengahan April" (in Indonesian). Sriwijaya Post. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  2. ↑ "18-8-18 start planned for 18th Asian Games". Olympic Council of Asia. 27 January 2015. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  3. ↑ Ade Irma Junida (October 2, 2014). "GBK akan direnovasi demi Asian Games 2018" (in Indonesian). Antara. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  4. ↑ Putri Utami (February 22, 2014). "Panjat Dinding dan Paralayang Jadi Cabor di Asian Games 2018" (in Indonesian). Pikiran Rakyat. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  5. ↑ Putri Utami (March 20, 2014). "Menpora Janji Arena Asian Games 2018 Siap Tahun Ini" (in Indonesian). Okezone. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Asian Games: Indonesia to host Asiad in 2018, says OCA chief". Channel News Asia. September 19, 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  7. ↑ Davies, Will (20 September 2014). "Indonesia to Host 2018 Asian Games". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Hanoi wins race to host 2019 Asian Games". The Star. 2012-11-08. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Vietnam backs out as hosts of 2019 Asian Games". Reuters. 17 April 2014. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  10. ↑ "City to unveil Asian Games mascot, logo". The Jakarta Post. 24 December 2014.
  11. ↑ ""Launching" Asian Games 2018 Ditunda". Koran Jakarta. 6 January 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
  12. ↑ Adamrah, Mustaqim (2012-11-09). "RI loses Asian Games bid to Vietnam". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 2012-11-09.
  13. ↑ Tam, Aaron (2012-11-09). "Hanoi wins race to host 2019 Asian Games: officials". AFP. Retrieved 2012-11-09.
  14. ↑ Sambidge, Andy (2012-11-09). "UAE denies Asian Games 2019 vote pull-out". Arabian Business. Retrieved 2012-11-14.
  15. ↑ "Việt Nam chính thức đăng cai Asian Games 2019". 24h (in Vietnamese). 2012-11-08. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
  16. ↑ "Bids to host 2013 IOC congress, 2019 Asiad". New Sabah Times. 2010-01-21. Retrieved 27 June 2010.
  17. ↑ "India Reportedly Keen To Bid For 2019 ASIAD". Yahoo! News Malaysia. Bernama. 2010-06-26. Retrieved 27 June 2010.
  18. ↑ "Taipei to bid to host 2019 Asian Games". Radio Taiwan International. 2010-08-19. Archived from the original on 24 August 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-20.
  19. ↑ "立法會否決申亞撥款". 明報. 2011-01-14. Retrieved 14 January 2011.
  20. ↑ Singh, Aftar (2010-09-03). "Commonwealth and Asian Games will not be held in same year". The Star. Archived from the original on 4 September 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-03.
  21. ↑ "Indian government says no to bid for 2019 Asian Games". NDTV India. 2010-08-02. Archived from the original on 5 August 2010. Retrieved 2 August 2010.
  22. ↑ "Taipei withdrew Asian Games bid in March: councilor". Taipei Times. 2012-11-07. Retrieved 2012-11-07.
  23. ↑ "Taipei to bid to host 2019 Asian Games". Radio Taiwan International. 2010-08-19. Archived from the original on 24 August 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-20.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "80% facilities to host 2019 Asiad available now in Vietnam". tuoitrenews.vn. 12 April 2014. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
  25. ↑ "Vietnam lawmakers concerned by mounting cost of Asian Games". Thanh Nien News. 26 March 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  26. ↑ "Vietnam PM could pull plug on Asian Games". Thanh Nien News. 7 April 2014. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
  27. ↑ "WB confirms no loans for Asiad facilities". Vietnamnet. 10 April 2014. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
  28. ↑ "Vietnamese hail PM’s decision to relinquish 2019 Asiad". Tuoi Tre. 17 April 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  29. ↑ "Asian Games: No penalty for Vietnam pullout, says OCA". Channel News Asia. 24 April 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  30. ↑ Thongsombat, Kittipong (30 April 2014). "Trio vying to host 2019 Asian Games". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  31. ↑ "Indonesia favorite to take on 2019 Asiad". Shanghai Daily. 19 April 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  32. ↑ "Indonesia 'proud' to host 2019 Asiad if selected". The Times of India. 19 April 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  33. ↑ Alinea, Eddie (31 August 2014). "POC bids to host next Asian Games". Manila Standard Today. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  34. ↑ "IOA serious about hosting 2019 Asian Games". The Hindu. 6 May 2014. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  35. ↑ Ganguly, Sudipto (7 July 2014). "India drops plans for late 2019 Asian Games bid". Reuters India. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  36. ↑ Shan, Shelly (22 April 2014). "Kaohsiung mulls bid to host 2019 Asian Games". Taipei Times. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
  37. ↑ Shan, Shelley (21 April 2014). "Sports body says it has no interest in replacing Vietnam". Taipei Times. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  38. ↑ "Costs of hosting Asian Games too high, say Malaysia". Reuters. 19 April 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  39. ↑ Dan Guen, Chin (2 May 2014). "Joint bid for Asian games mooted". TODAY. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  40. ↑ "Malaysia Has No Plan To Host Asian Games 2019". BERNAMA. 19 April 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  41. ↑ Lin Fhoong, Low (29 April 2014). "Myanmar cools talk of 2019 Asian Games bid". TODAY. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
  42. ↑ "Thailand holds off on Asian Games bid". Bangkok Post. 19 April 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  43. ↑ "日本奥委会：专注奥运 无接管2019年亚运计划". QQ Sports. 18 April 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  44. ↑ Mackay, Duncan (18 April 2014). "Potential cities to replace Hanoi as host of 2019 Asian Games slow to come forward". inside the games. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  45. ↑ Sun Xiaochen (12 May 2014). "Indonesia possible new host of 2019 Asian Games". China Daily. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
  46. ↑ Tjahjo Sasongko (28 July 2014). "Setelah 1962, Jakarta Kembali Tuan Rumah Asian Games" (in Indonesian). Kompas.com. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  47. ↑ Aziza, Kurnia Sari; Afrianti, Desy (7 January 2015). "Jelang Asian Games 2018, DKI Akan Bangun Kampung Atlet di Kemayoran". KOMPAS. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  48. ↑ 48.0 48.1 Wardany, Irawaty (28 January 2015). "Pencak silat will make Asian Games’ maiden showin 2018". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  49. ↑ 49.0 49.1 Goddard, Emily (8 January 2015). "Preparations for Jakarta 2018 Asian Games praised by OCA President". inside the games. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
  50. ↑ "Sumsel Siap Gelar 18 Cabang Olahraga Asian Games 2018" (in Indonesian). Suara Pembaruan. March 3, 2015. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  51. ↑ Tristia Tambun, Lenny (7 January 2015). "Hadapi Asian Games 2018, Djarot Minta Pembangunan MRT Dikebut" (in Indonesian). Berita Satu. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
  52. ↑ Gumiwang, Ringkang (March 9, 2015). "Proyek Monorel Bandara-Jakabaring Batal, Pemprov Sumsel Pilih LRT" (in Indonesian). Bisnis. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  53. ↑ "Jadi Tuan Rumah, Pemkot Targetkan 2017 Siap Sambut Asian Games" (in Indonesian). Rakyat Merdeka Online Sumsel. March 9, 2015.

External links

Preceded by
Incheon		 Asian Games
Jakarta–Palembang
XVIII Asiad (2018) 		Succeeded by
TBD
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