'Indonesian capital ready to host 2018 Asian Games'

Jakarta is ready to host the 2019 Asian Games, governor of the Indonesian capital city said here.

Speaking on the sidelines of his meeting with officials of Indonesian Olympics Committee (KOI) and of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) in his office Thursday night, Joko Widodo said construction of a landmark stadium is already underway in North Jakarta and the Mass Rapid Transport (MRT) network is expected to be finished before 2018, reports Xinhua.

Widodo added that Jakarta has international-standard sport venues that have hosted world class sports events in the past and those venues can be prepared soon.

"The Asian Games is not merely a sports issue, but also an issue of pride. This is a matter of city and country promotion. We must show them our strength in all aspects. I believe that we can do that," Widodo said.

Vietnam had originally been picked to host the 2019 edition of the Asian Games, but announced in April it was withdrawing for financial reasons.

The new host will be announced in September in Incheon, South Korea, during its stint as host of the games.