Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia, as the host of the 18th Asian Games (ASIAD 18), has set four top priorities for the smooth andsuccessful implementation of the largest regional sporting even of Asiannations.

The top four priorities for the 18th Asian Gamesare competitions, administration, support and security, according to ErickThohir, President of Indonesia’s Asian Games Organising Committee.

The Asian Games will be co-hosted by Jakarta and Palembang,South Sumatra, simultaneously from August 18 to September 2, 2018.

Some 9,500 athletes, 2,500 staff members of the AsianOlympic Council, and 5,500 technical delegates from 45countries will participate or be involved in the event. At least 3,500 mediarepresentatives are expected to cover the event.

Earlier, Jakarta Deputy Governor Sandiaga Uno, emphasisedthat security will be one of the top priorities of Indonesia during the 2018Asian Games.

Security efforts will be undertaken with coordination of variousparties, particularly the police, and with the support of the IndonesianDefence Forces.

At least 1,700 officers of the Jakarta police and militarywill be deployed, and they will be supported by civilian security guards.

Thousands of CCTV cameras will be installed, including atleast 600 in Palembang. Venues to be guarded and have security cameras includeathlete villages, sport venues, and airports.

Meanwhile, Japan has pledged technical assistance toIndonesia in hosting the Asian Games 2018 by providing and support security andsport equipment as well as LED lights.

Under the support scheme, the Japanese Government hasallocated 500 million JPY (4.49 million USD) to provide facial recognitiondevices, which are expected to secure the Asian Games from any act of terrorismor extremism.

Apart from the Government level, technical assistance willalso be provided by a number of Japanese companies operating in Indonesia.

Panasonic, for instance, has provided more than 1,000high-grade LED lights to adorn both exterior and interior facilities of thestadium.-VNA