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indonesian-athletes-marching-during-the-ceremony-of-the-2014-asian-games-in-incheon-south-korea.jpg

It was formally anounced on Saturday that Indonesia will serve as the host country for the 2018 Asian Games. Vietnam was originally slated as the host but had to relinquish its rights due to financial concerns.

Indonesia's capital Jakarta, along with the regions of South Sumatra and West Java would be the places in where events are to be held according to the country's National Olympic Committee.

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Rita Subowo, chairman of the Indonesian National Olympic Commitee said that the central and regional governments gave their strong support having most of the infrastructure was ready in place for the event. Jakarta also has equipped their city with new airport and mass transit systems as concerns about transportation have been an issue in the city which is heavily congested holding nearly 10 million people.

The projects are projected to be done by the time the games are to be held.

The city of Hanoi, capital of Vietnam was supposed to be the original venue for the Asian Games in 2019 but they had to back out citing lack of funds. The organizers wanted the games to push through in 2019 but Indonesia petitioned for an earlier year in order to avoid conflict with their country's next presidential election.

The city of Surabaya in Indonesia had made an earlier bid for the 2019 games but lost to Hanoi in the final voting process. Jakarta was given a head start in order to prepare to take over as Surabaya entered the bidding process according to Subowo. 

"This is our dream, to host the Asian Games again," Subowo said after the committee formally announced the 2018 hosts on the side of the current Asian games happening in Incheon, South Korea. Furthermore, she said "this is the chance for our young generation to participate, not only to compete but also to be the host to welcome as volunteers."

She also stated how they have to work hard and how they will be needing support from friends and colleagues from Asia and all over the world as they have to work hard under a short time.

The last time Indonesia held host for the event was way back in 1962.

Earlier, the leaders of Incheon seeked South Korea's central government for a bigger share worth $2 billion threatening to drop the event.