体坛英语新闻：Asian Games torch relay to kick off in July

JAKARTA, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- The 2018 Asian Games torch relay will commence from India, host of the first Asian Games, and will make its way to Indonesia on July 18, the country's human development and cultural affairs ministry said here on Wednesday.

In Indonesia, the flame will be placed in the Dirgantara Museum before being transported to an eternal flame site in Mrapen, East Java province on July 18, the statement from the ministry said.

The torch will continue to travel all around Indonesia, a vast archipelagic nation, making its way to 12 provinces and 36 districts.

In Prambanan Temple of Yogyakarta province, both flames from India and Mrapen will be united along with a concert for the official release of the Asian Games Torch Relay. This will make Prambanan Temple ground zero for the relay.

The concert and the release will be attended by representatives of 45 countries and regions participating in the Asian Games.

"This momentum can be used as a means to promote the country's tourism," deputy for coordination with the ministry Nyoman Suida said in the statement.

The design of the torch is a combination of a big knife from Betawi, the original ethnic group, the country's capital of Jakarta and local traditional weapon.

In India, the flame will be generated from a parabolic mirror directed straight at the sun.

About 11,000 athletes and officials from 45 nations and regions will come into Jakarta and Palembang city in Indonesia to participate in the 18th Asian Games, which is scheduled to be held from August 18 to September 2.

A total of 40 sports are scheduled to be played during the sporting event, according to the committee.