The 19th Asian Games, also known as Asiad, has officially kicked off amidst a grand ceremony in the affluent city of Hangzhou, China.
Chinese President Xi Jinping inaugurated the Asiad amidst a special program organized on Saturday night, although the Asian Games have already started.
Representatives of various countries have arrived in Hangzhou to participate in the Asiad. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', who arrived in Hangzhou on Saturday morning, attended the inaugural ceremony to boost up morale of athletes and to establish Nepal's role in sports diplomacy.
Prime Minister Prachanda reached China after participating in the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York, USA.
More than 12,500 people including organizers, sports committees, athletes, and managers are participating in the Asiad. The Games include 481 competitions in 61 categories under 40 games.
A total of 45 countries of the world are participating in the Asiad. Two hundred and fifty-three athletes, including 126 men and 127 women, from Nepal are competing in 29 games.
In the Asiad, 11 players from Nepal will compete in taekwondo, 22 in football, four in basketball, four in archery, eight in athletics, eight in badminton, 13 in boxing, one in breaking, 15 in cricket, two in cycling and 23 in e-sports.
The Asian Games are being organized in Hangzhou and its neighboring cities.
(Photos: RSS/Xinhua)
