Jakarta has been set as the host of the 2018 Asian Games. Although the city already has Gelora Bung Karno Stadium which quite worth to hold the opening event, Jakarta Provincial Government chooses to hold it in BMW Stadium, Sunter, North Jakarta, which will be built in upcoming December.

The construction of BMW Stadium will be accelerated to be used for the opening event of the 2018 Asian Games. The stadium will also be used as venue for soccer games

“The construction of BMW Stadium will be accelerated to be used for the opening event of the 2018 Asian Games. The stadium will also be used as venue for soccer games,” stated Head of Jakarta Sports and Youth Department, Ratiyono, Thursday (8/7).

Besides accelerating the construction of BMW Stadium, Ratiyono continued, his department will also improve all sports facilities in the city. The work will include repairing the supporting infrastructures in accordance to Asian Games’ standards.

“For three years ahead, Jakarta Provincial Government will repair sports venues which haven’t good yet, so they can be ready to use in 2018,” he told.

In addition, Ratiyono also disclosed that Jakarta will not host the event alone, because Palembang City, South Sumatera, will become city’s partner host.

“So, not all games will be played in Jakarta. Later there will be division on games played in these two cities,” he uttered.

For information, the 2018 Asian Games will be the second for Jakarta to host the event. Previously, Jakarta hosted the event in 1962.