The 18th edition of the Asian Games begins in Jakarta, Indonesia today with seven athletes of Assam for the first time competing in it.
Although all are not serious medal contenders, but golden girl Hima Das in 400 metre is a serious medal contender.
She and the athletic contingent shall arrive in the Games Village middle of the next week flying directly from Ukraine where she and other athletes are training.
Her events are starting from the next weekend only.
Seven sportspersons of Assam including Indian sprint sensation Hima Das have booked a place in the Indian squad for the Jakarta Asian Games . Boxer Shiva Thapa claimed a position in the Indian Boxing squad for the Asiad. The other sports persons in the Indian squad are Pramila Daimary (Archery) , Rudali Barua (Taekwondo), Ashmita Chaliha (Badminton) , Kabita Devi (Fencing) and Jonali Dutta (Basketball).
Meanwhile India will attempt to better their best gold count of 15, which was 67 years ago in the inaugural edition of the Games hosted by New Delhi in 1951.
Jakarta and Palembang, on the island of Sumatra, will host around 10,000 athletes from 45 countries competing in 39 sports from 18 August to 2 September, 2018. This is the second time that Jakarta has hosted the Asian Games, the first being the 1962 Asian Games.
The games in Jakarta will be held at the Bung Karno sports complex, which contains 20 venues and nine training grounds, as well as Jakarta International Expo, including 21 venues and eight training grounds.
The Indian contingent for the Jakarta Asiad has 572 athletes (312 men, 260 women) and 232 coaches besides team of officials. Neeraj Chopra (javelin thrower) will lead the Indian contingent in the opening ceremony. The contingent will be led by Chef de Mission Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
India is participating in 36 sports of archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, bowling, bridge, canoe-kayak, cycling, equestrian, fencing, gymnastics, golf, handball, hockey, judo, kabaddi, karate, kurash, pencak silat, rollersports, rowing, sailing, .. sepak takraw, shooting, squash, swimming, sport climbing, tennis, taekwondo, soft tennis, table tennis, volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling and wushu.
