Forty-five countries have geared up for the spectacular sporting extravaganza in the packed Asian Games 2018 schedule. Around 10,000 athletes are all set to make a mark and 462 medals are up for grabs across 47 sports. The grandest Asian celebration of sports is here! There is a celebratory mood in the air and the mascots are spreading cheer!
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Asian Games is a multi-sport event held every four years for athletes all over Asia. It is the second most prestigious sporting event in the world, after the Olympics. Olympic Council of Asia has been organizing the games since 1982. India hosted the first ever Asiad in the year 1951 at New Delhi.
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Wondering where to watch the games or what is the schedule. Fret not! We have everything covered for you. Dive in to know everything about the Asian Games 2018.
Mary Kom tips off the Asian Games torch relay in New Delhi
Did You Know?
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The total budget of the Asian Games 2018 is estimated to be $3.2 billion.
Asian Games 2018 Schedule
The Asian Games 2018 are scheduled from 18 August to 2 September 2018. The opening ceremony will take place at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta. The preliminary rounds of water polo, basketball, football, and handball have already started from the 8th of August. Indian track and field athlete, Neeraj Chopra, will be the flag bearer for India at the opening ceremony.
Asian Games 2018 – Where to Watch
You can catch the games live on Sony Ten network. SonyLiv website and app will also live stream all the events.
The battleground is all set. There is festive fervour in the air. Earlier, Hanoi had won the bid to host the games in 2012. However, they decided to withdraw due to financial constraints.
Indonesia was officially declared as the host country during the closing of 2014 Incheon Games. Factors like good sports facilities, transportation network, hotels, and lodging facilities helped Indonesia seal the deal.
Two cities are hosting the games for the first time. Jakarta had earlier hosted them in 1962. All the events will be held in and around Jakarta and Palembang. The opening and closing ceremony will take place in Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Jakarta.
The four clusters – Gelora Bung Karno cluster, Jakarta cluster, Jakarta Suburb cluster, and Jakabaring Sports City Palembang cluster will handle all sporting events.
Gelora Bung Karno Sports Complex has been renovated especially for the games. Its seating capacity has been reduced from 88,000 to 76,127. It will host athletics, badminton, basketball, aquatics, volleyball, basketball, field hockey, baseball, softball, archery, rugby, squash, fencing, judo, karate, martial arts, and taekwondo.
Sports like cycling, baseball, equestrian, sailing, jet ski, pencak silat, kabaddi, boxing, gymnastics, table, tennis, weightlifting, golf, handball, and volleyball will be organized at other venues in Jakarta.
Palembang will host women’s football, tennis, soft-tennis, canoeing, rowing, triathlon, sepak takraw, bowling, sports climbing, beach volleyball, shooting, and roller sports.
West Java and Banten will host men’s football, paragliding, modern pentathlon, cycling, and canoeing.
Asian Games 2018 – The Mascots
Initially, a mascot named Derawan was chosen as the mascot. However, the Indonesian government received a lot of flak for this decision. Most citizens felt that he looked more like a chicken, not the exotic bird it was supposed to be. Also, there was no historical connection to the symbol.
The new logo and mascots of the Asian Games were selected after a competition by Indonesia’s Creative Economy Board. Joko Widodo, the president of Indonesia, chose the winner from over 60 participants. The three mascots symbolize the diversity of the country.
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Bhin bhin or the bird of paradise reflects Eastern Indonesia. It is a Cendrawasih bird, wearing a vest with Asmat pattern from Papua. Bhin bhin stands for strategy.
Kaka, the one-horned rhinoceros, represents Western Indonesia. He is wearing Palembang’s traditional attire with a flower pattern. Kaka stands for strength.
Atung, the Bawean deer, reflects the central part of the country and stands for speed. He is wearing a sarong with Jakarta’s Tumpal batik pattern.
Twitter has launched three new emojis to celebrate the spirit of Asian Games. The official Asian Games logo, a torch representing the energy of Asia, and three mascots are available as emoticons until October on Twitter.
Asian Games 2018 – The Logo
The logo symbolizes the energy of Asia and the unity of the countries. It has an aerial view of the Gelora Bung Karno stadium. The eight gates of the stadium have been shown along with the Asian Games sun in the middle. The stadium was first built for 1962 games that Jakarta hosted.
The logo concentrates on three factors – Asia, Indonesia, and sports. The multiple colors celebrate the diversity of the Asian countries.
Asian Games 2018 – The Anthem
Indonesian Asian Games Organizing Committee has released an album with 13 songs by various musical artists. It is called as Asian Games 2018: Energy of Asia. The official anthem of the Asian Games 2018 is the song ‘Bright as the Sun’ by Energy 18. The song celebrates the energy of Asia. The song is very spunky and motivating. Check it out below
“Bright as the Sun”
Open your eyes, strengthen your heartÂ
Energize in your spirit
Stand firm, fly you high
This is the time your name resonates
The meaning of defeat as a delayed victoryÂ
never despair of being the best
Show the world ..Â
You are as Bright as The Sun
We Deserve to be the one
Invite your fearst come on, don’t waste your time
Raise the energy you shine
and give your best let God to the rest
Nobody can (no one can)Â
Break your
dreams (hack your dreams ) We must be able to achieve dreams
Fly the flag of your peopleÂ
Located in the highest place
Make your
young soul carve history
Show the world ..Â
You are as Bright As The Sun
We Deserve to be the one
Invite your fearst come on, do not waste your time
Race the energy you shame
And give you best look at to the race
Different is not a reason for not supporting each otherÂ
The goals of
different goals and expectations are not reasons for not supporting each other’s
goals and hopes
Show the worldÂ
You are as Bright As The Sun
We Deserve to be the one
All Asian countries are set to be the one! There is so much excitement and positivity in the air.
Indian Squad at the Asiads
Asian Games contingent with sports minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore
The next couple of weeks are going to very exciting for all Asian countries. As proud Indians, we can support our athletes by diligently watching the games and cheering them on.
Detailed Schedule
Two types
Medal Competition – Medal winning stage of the event when the result will decide a medal
Event Competition – Qualifying and other stages other than Medal winning stage
Below are the events with dates.
August 19 Aquatics – Swimming – Medal Competition
Aquatics – Water polo – Event Competition
Baseball – Softball – Event Competition
Basketball – 5X5 – Event Competition
Football – Event Competition
Handball – Event Competition
Field Hockey – Event Competition
Kabaddi – Event Competition
Karate – Medal Competition
Martial arts – Pencak silat – Event Competition
Martial arts – Wushu – Medal Competition
Rowing – Event Competition
Sepaktakraw – Event Competition
Tennis – Event Competition
Volleyball – Beach – Event Competition
Volleyball – Indoor – Event Competition
Weightlifting – Medal Competition
 August 24 Aquatics – Swimming – Medal Competition
Aquatics – Water polo – Event Competition
Archery – Event Competition
Badminton – Event Competition
Basketball – 5X5 – Event Competition
Basketball – 3X3 – Event Competition
Bowling – Event Competition
Boxing – Event Competition
Bridge – Event Competition
Canoeing – Slalom – Medal Competition
Canoeing – Traditional boat race – Event Competition
Cycling – Road – Medal Competition
Equestrian – Eventing – Event Competition
Fencing – Medal Competition
Football – Event Competition
Golf – Medal Competition
Gymnastics – Artistic – Medal Competition
Handball – Event Competition
Field Hockey – Event Competition
Jet ski – Medal Competition
Kabaddi – Medal Competition
Martial arts – Kurash – Medal Competition
Martial arts – Pencak silat – Medal Competition
Paragliding – Medal Competition
Rowing – Medal Competition
Sailing – Event Competition
Sepak takraw – Event Competition
Shooting – Medal Competition
Sports climbing – Event Competition
Squash – Event Competition
Tennis – Event Competition
Volleyball – Beach – Event Competition
Volleyball – Indoor – Event Competition
Weightlifting – Medal Competition
August 27: Aquatics – Synchronised Swimming – Medal Competition
Aquatics – Water polo – Event Competition
Archery – Medal Competition
Athletics – Medal Competition
Badminton – Event Competition
Baseball – Event Competition
Basketball – 5X5 – Event Competition
Bowling – Medal Competition
Boxing – Event Competition
Bridge – Event Competition
Canoeing – Sprint – Event Competition
Cycling – Track – Medal Competition
Fencing – Medal Competition
Football – Event Competition
Gymnastics – Rhythmic – Medal Competition
Handball – Event Competition
Field Hockey – Event Competition
Paragliding – Event Competition
Roller sports – Skateboarding – Event Competition
Sepak takraw – Medal Competition
Shooting – Medal Competition
Squash – Medal Competition
Table tennis – Medal Competition
Tennis – Event Competition
Volleyball – Beach – Event Competition
Volleyball – Indoor – Event Competition
  Wrestling – Medal Competition
August 30 Aquatics – Diving – Medal Competition
Aquatics – Water polo – Event Competition
Athletics – Medal Competition
Badminton – Event Competition
Baseball – Event Competition
Basketball – 5X5 – Event Competition
Bridge – Event Competition
Canoeing – Sprint – Event Competition
Cycling – Track – Medal Competition
Equestrian – Jumping – Medal Competition
Football – Event Competition
Handball – Medal Competition
Field Hockey – Medal Competition
Judo – Medal Competition
Martial arts – Jujitsu – Medal Competition
Martial arts – Sambo – Medal Competition
Paragliding – Event Competition
Roller sports – Roller skating – Event Competition
Sailing – Event Competition
Sepak takraw – Event Competition
Squash – Event Competition
Table tennis – Event Competition
Taekwondo – Medal Competition
Tennis – Soft tennis – Medal Competition
Volleyball – Indoor – Event Competition
Wrestling – Medal Competition
August 31 Aquatics – Diving – Medal Competition
Aquatics – Water polo – Event Competition
Badminton – Medal Competition
Baseball – Event Competition
Basketball – 5X5 – Event Competition
Bridge – Event Competition
Boxing – Event Competition
Canoeing – Sprint – Medal Competition
Cycling – Track – Medal Competition
Football – Event Competition
Handball – Medal Competition
Field Hockey – Medal Competition
Judo – Medal Competition
Martial arts – Jujitsu – Medal Competition
Martial arts – Sambo – Medal Competition
Modern Pentathlon – Medal Competition
Paragliding – Event Competition
Roller sports – Roller skating – Medal Competition
Rugby sevens – Event Competition
Sailing – Medal Competition
Sepaktakraw – Event Competition
Squash – Event Competition
Table tennis – Medal Competition
Taekwondo – Medal Competition
Tennis – Soft tennis – Medal Competition
Triathlon – Medal Competition
Volleyball – Indoor – Medal Competition
Wrestling – Medal Competition
August 20 Aquatics – Swimming – Medal Competition
Aquatics – Water polo – Event Competition
Baseball – Softball – Event Competition
Basketball – 5X5 – Event Competition
Cycling – Mountain bike – Medal Competition
Equestrian – Dressage – Medal Competition
Football – Event Competition
Gymnastics – Artistic – Medal Competition
Handball – Event Competition
Field Hockey – Event Competition
Kabaddi – Event Competition
Karate – Medal Competition
Martial arts – Pencak silat – Event Competition
Martial arts – Wushu – Medal Competition
Rowing – Event Competition
Sepak takraw – Event Competition
Sports Climbing – Event Competition
Tennis – Event Competition
Volleyball – Beach – Event Competition
Volleyball – Indoor – Event Competition
Weightlifting – Medal Competition
August 21 Aquatics – Swimming – Medal Competition
Aquatics – Water polo – Event Competition
Archery – Event Competition
Baseball – Softball – Event Competition
Basketball – 5X5 – Event Competition
Cycling – Mountain bike – Medal Competition
Equestrian – Dressage – Event Competition
Football – Event Competition
Golf – Event Competition
Gymnastics – Artistic – Medal Competition
Handball – Event Competition
Field Hockey – Event Competition
Kabaddi – Event Competition
Karate – Medal Competition
Martial arts – Kurash – Medal Competition
Martial arts – Pencak silat – Event Competition
Martial arts – Wushu – Medal Competition
Rowing – Event Competition
Paragliding – Event Competition
Sepak takraw – Medal Competition
Shooting – Medal Competition
Sports Climbing – Event Competition
Tennis – Event Competition
Volleyball – Beach – Event Competition
Volleyball – Indoor – Event Competition
Weightlifting – Medal Competition
August 25 Aquatics – Water polo – Event Competition
Archery – Event Competition
Athletics – Medal Competition
Baseball – Event Competition
Basketball – 5X5 – Event Competition
Basketball – 3X3 – Event Competition
Bowling – Medal Competition
Boxing – Event Competition
Bridge – Event Competition
Canoeing – Slalom – Medal Competition
Canoeing – Sprint – Event Competition
Canoeing – Traditional boat race – Medal Competition
Cycling – BMX (race) – Medal Competition
Fencing – Medal Competition
Field Hockey – Event Competition
Jet ski – Medal Competition
Paragliding – Event Competition
Sailing – Event Competition
Sepak takraw – Event Competition
Shooting – Medal Competition
Sports climbing – Medal Competition
Squash – Event Competition
Table tennis – Event Competition
Tennis – Event Competition
Volleyball – Beach – Event Competition
Volleyball – Indoor – Event Competition
Weightlifting – Medal Competition
August 28 Aquatics – Diving – Medal Competition
Aquatics – Synchronised Swimming – Medal Competition
Aquatics – Water polo – Event Competition
Archery – Medal Competition
Athletics – Medal Competition
Badminton – Event Competition
Baseball – Event Competition
Basketball – 5X5 – Event Competition
Bowling – Medal Competition
Boxing – Event Competition
Bridge – Event Competition
Canoeing – Sprint – Medal Competition
Cycling – BMX (freestyle) – Medal Competition
Cycling – Track – Medal Competition
Equestrian – Jumping – Medal Competition
Fencing – Medal Competition
Football – Event Competition
Paragliding – Medal Competition
Roller sports – Skateboarding – Medal Competition
Sailing – Event Competition
Sepak takraw – Event Competition
Squash – Event Competition
Table tennis – Event Competition
Taekwondo – Medal Competition
Tennis – Medal Competition
Tennis – Soft tennis – Event Competition
Volleyball – Beach – Medal Competition
Volleyball – Indoor – Event Competition
Wrestling – Medal Competition
September 1 Aquatics – Diving – Medal Competition
Aquatics – Water polo – Medal Competition
Badminton – Medal Competition
Baseball – Event Competition
Basketball – 5X5 – Medal Competition
Bridge – Event Competition
Boxing – Medal Competition
Canoeing – Sprint – Medal Competition
Cycling – Track – Medal Competition
Football – Medal Competition
Judo – Medal Competition
Martial arts – Jujitsu – Medal Competition
Modern Pentathlon – Medal Competition
Paragliding – Medal Competition
Rugby sevens – Medal Competition
Sepak takraw – Medal Competition
Squash – Medal Competition
Table tennis – Medal Competition
Taekwondo – Medal Competition
Tennis – Soft tennis – Medal Competition
Triathlon – Medal Competition
Volleyball – Indoor – Medal Competition
August 18
Opening ceremony
August 22 Aquatics – Swimming – Medal Competition
Archery – Event Competition
Baseball – Softball – Event Competition
Basketball – 5X5 – Event Competition
Basketball – 3X3 – Event Competition
Bowling – Medal Competition
Bridge – Event Competition
Cycling – Road – Medal Competition
Football – Event Competition
Golf – Event Competition
Gymnastics – Artistic – Medal Competition
Field Hockey – Event Competition
Kabaddi – Event Competition
Martial arts – Kurash – Medal Competition
Martial arts – Pencak silat – Event Competition
Martial arts – Wushu – Medal Competition
Paragliding – Event Competition
Rowing – Event Competition
Sepak takraw – Event Competition
Sports Climbing – Event Competition
Shooting – Medal Competition
Tennis – Event Competition
Volleyball – Beach – Event Competition
Volleyball – Indoor – Event Competition
Weightlifting – Medal Competition
August 23 Aquatics – Swimming – Medal Competition
Aquatics – Water polo – Event Competition
Archery – Event Competition
Badminton – Event Competition
Baseball – Softball – Medal Competition
Basketball – 5X5 – Event Competition
Basketball – 3X3 – Event Competition
Bowling – Medal Competition
Canoeing – Traditional boat race – Event Competition
Cycling – Road – Medal Competition
Equestrian – Dressage – Medal Competition
Football – Event Competition
Golf – Event Competition
Gymnastics – Artistic – Medal Competition
Field Hockey – Event Competition
Jet ski – Medal Competition
Kabaddi – Event Competition
Martial arts – Kurash – Medal Competition
Martial arts – Pencak silat – Event Competition
Martial arts – Wushu – Medal Competition
Paragliding – Event Competition
Sailing – Event Competition
Sepak takraw – Event Competition
Shooting – Medal Competition
Sports climbing – Event Competition
Squash – Event Competition
Tennis – Medal Competition
Volleyball – Beach – Event Competition
Volleyball – Indoor – Event Competition
Weightlifting – Medal Competition
August 26: Aquatics – Water polo – Event Competition
Archery – Event Competition
Athletics – Medal Competition
Badminton – Medal Competition
Baseball – Event Competition
Basketball – 5X5 – Event Competition
Basketball – 3X3 – Medal Competition
Bowling – Medal Competition
Boxing – Event Competition
Bridge – Medal Competition
Canoeing – Sprint – Event Competition
Cycling – Track – Medal Competition
Equestrian – Eventing – Medal Competition
Fencing – Medal Competition
Gymnastics – Rhythmic – Medal Competition
Handball – Event Competition
Field Hockey – Event Competition
Jet ski – Medal Competition
Martial arts – Pencak silat – Medal Competition
Paragliding – Event Competition
Sailing – Event Competition
Sepak takraw – Event Competition
Shooting – Medal Competition
Squash – Event Competition
Table tennis – Event Competition
Tennis – Event Competition
Volleyball – Beach – Event Competition
Volleyball – Indoor – Event Competition
Weightlifting – Medal Competition
August 29: Aquatics – Diving – Medal Competition
Aquatics – Synchronised Swimming – Medal Competition
Aquatics – Water polo – Event Competition
Athletics – Medal Competition
Badminton – Event Competition
Baseball – Event Competition
Bowling – Medal Competition
Boxing – Event Competition
Bridge – Event Competition
Canoeing – Sprint – Medal Competition
Cycling – Track – Medal Competition
Fencing – Medal Competition
Gymnastics – Trampoline – Medal Competition
Handball – Event Competition
Field Hockey – Event Competition
Judo – Medal Competition
Martial arts – Jujitsu – Medal Competition
Martial arts – Sambo – Medal Competition
Paragliding – Event Competition
Sailing – Event Competition
Sepak takraw – Event Competition
Squash – Event Competition
Table tennis – Event Competition
Taekwondo – Medal Competition
Tennis – Medal Competition
Tennis – Soft tennis – Medal Competition
Volleyball – Indoor – Event Competition
Wrestling – Medal Competition
A passionate foodie, a versatile writer, and now a sports enthusiast, Mamta is always open to exploring new avenues. She has a vast experience in Web Content Writing, Editing, and Social Media Management. A self-confessed coffee and dark chocolate addict, she believes in following her heart and giving her 100% into everything she does.
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Atung, the Bawean deer, reflects the central part of the country and stands for speed. He is wearing a sarong with Jakarta’s Tumpal batik pattern.
Asian Games contingent with sports minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore
