Asian Games countdown starts

Jakarta, Aug 15 (IANS)  A top sports official said Countdown for the Asian Games 2018 will be undertaken in Indonesia's capital and the provincial capital of South Sumatra on Friday, here on Tuesday.

Chief of the Committee of Asian Games 2018, Erick Tohir said that the countdown event was partly expected to boost awareness of the Indonesian people as their nation will host the international sport event, reports Xinhua news agency.

"The countdown will be a campaign event for the people. Indonesia will host the Asian Games," he told a press conference in the committee office.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo and delegation of Asians will attend the event in Monas Park in Jakarta, Tohir said.

Artists from Asia and Indonesia will enliven the unofficial event, according to him.

The Asian Games 2018 is scheduled to be held in Indonesia's capital and Palembang city of South Sumatra province from August 18 to September 2.

Indonesia eyes top-10 position in the Games with a target of 15 gold medals.