About 1,000 athletes to feature in 8 test events for Asian Games

Indonesia will host test events in eight disciplines next month ahead of the Asian Games, attracting around 1,000 athletes and officials from Asia.

Eighteen teams have confirmed their participation in the events, which are scheduled from February 8-15 in Indonesia's capital, said Erick Thohir, chairman of the Asian Games committee, reports Xinhua news agency.

The sports include weightlifting, athletics, 5x5 basketball, volleyball, archery, pencak silat (a traditional Indonesian martial art), taekwondo and boxing.

The participants will start arriving in Jakarta on February 5 or 6, said Thohir.

The chairman said the inclusion of digital technology is an important component of the test events.

"The readiness of the committee must be shown by the application of technology," he said.

Indonesia is to stage competitions in 40 sports in the Asian Games this year with a total of 462 events.

Over 11,000 athletes and officials from 45 nations and regions will take part in the Games.

Indonesia expects to be among the top ten finishers in the 18th Asian Games, which are scheduled to be held in Indonesia's capital, along with Palembang in South Sumatra province from August 18 to September 2.

--IANS

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