DAZZLING OPENING CEREMONY ATTENDED BY HRH PRINCE FEISAL

HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein has led the Jordan delegation attending the Opening Ceremony of the 18th Asian Games taking place in Indonesia until September 3.

The Games were officially opened by Indonesian President, Joko Widodo, at the glittering ceremony held at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta in front of 40,000 spectators.

More than 2,200 dancers from schools across the country gave a fantastic performance showcasing Indonesian culture and history.

Thousands of athletes from 45 National Olympic Committees (NOC) joined in the celebration with Olympic Council of Asia President, Sheikh Ahmad AL Fahed Al Sabbah, praising the local organising committee and wishing the athletes well for the biggest sporting event on the continent this year.

BAQLEH TO LAUNCH JORDAN CAMPAIGN Olympic swimmer, Khader Baqleh, will launch Jordan’s campaign at the Asian Games on Sunday by competing in the 200m Freestyle. His heat will start at 5am Jordan time, with the finals taking place later in the day.

The 19-year-old studies in the USA where he has become one of the college scene’s best talents.

His most recent achievements in Jordan colours included a pair of gold medals won at the Islamic Solidarity Games held in Baku, Azerbaijan, in 2017. Baqleh will also compete in the 100m and 400m Freestyle as well as the Medley alongside his teammate Mohammad Al Bdour.

TAEKWONDO READY FOR MEDAL ASSAULT National Taekwondo Coach, Faris Al Assaf, has declared that his chargers are ready and expect to make an assault on the medals at the Asian Games. Juliana Al Sadeq and Zaid Mustafa will compete on Monday, while Hamzeh Qattan and Rama Abu Al Rub follow on Tuesday.

Saleh Al Sharabati will compete on Wednesday while Ahmad Abu Ghaush, our Olympic gold medallist, will start his quest on Thursday.

“The players have trained well over the past three days and the draw has been kind for us,” said Al Assaf. “We have also been boosted by the return to fitness for Ahmad Abu Ghaush who has trained so hard to be ready. He is a true champion, and this is not the first time he has overcome challenges to represent Jordan. He is such a role model for all athletes and I wish him luck.”