Some sports in the Asian Games 2018 has already started, but the opening ceremony of the mega event kick-started on Saturday.

Walking the Parade of the Athletes at the Opening Ceremony of the 18th #AsianGames2018 in Jakarta is the country where it all started! #TeamIndia led by Javelin star #NeerajChopra at the GBK Main Stadium in Jakarta. 🇮🇳#IAmTeamIndia #AsianGames #AsianGamesOpening pic.twitter.com/QzVwTiKPQi

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— Team India (@ioaindia) August 18, 2018

The opening ceremony of Asian Games is being held at the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) stadium in Jakarta. The popular Indonesian singers, such as Anggun, Raisa, Tulus, Edo Kondologit, Putri Ayu, Fatin, GAC, Kamasean and Via Vallen performed at the event.

This is what you’ve been waiting for!

The spectacular Opening Ceremony of the 18th #AsianGames2018 #WatchOut for more from the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Jakarta as #TeamIndia walks in led by @Neeraj_chopra1 🇮🇳✌#IAmTeamIndia #AsianGames #AsianGamesOpening pic.twitter.com/l4JelBBLOW

— Team India (@ioaindia) August 18, 2018

The stage of the opening ceremony have a mountain as background accompanied by plants and flowers, the stage measures 120-metre length, 30-metre width and 26-metre height.

This is what you’ve been waiting for, the #AsianGames2018 Opening Ceremony! An abundance of Indonesian cultures will be showcased through dance, songs, drama, and stage decoration. Watch the show now on national TV or https://t.co/uTj8RGbIJP #OpeningAG2018 pic.twitter.com/eQGVmZDWdw

— Asian Games 2018 (@asiangames2018) August 18, 2018

Young Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, 20, led the Indian contingent. Represented by 572 athletes in 36 sports (312 men, 260 women), the Indian contingent will aim to better the showing at the previous Asiad in Incheon, South Korea, where they finished eighth with 11 gold, 10 silver and 36 bronze medals.

Stay tuned for more performances by top Indonesian artists at the #OpeningAG2018 ! It will be a spectacular blend of singing, dancing, and drama! #AsianGames2018 pic.twitter.com/76WUqAA10k

— Asian Games 2018 (@asiangames2018) August 18, 2018

The best performance by India at the Asian Games came at the 2010 edition in Guangzhou, China, where they finished sixth with 14 gold, 17 silver and 34 bronze.

This year, around 12,000 athletes from 45 countries will compete in 40 disciplines.

The main thrust of the Indian challenge is expected to come from athletics, wrestling, boxing and shooting.

Indonesia is known as a multicultural country, and tonight the world gets to see the richness of it all in one massive stage at the Opening Ceremony! Traditional dance Tari Saman from Aceh just opened the show. Stay tuned for more! #OpeningAG2018 #AsianGames2018 pic.twitter.com/sPIJN10BE1

— Asian Games 2018 (@asiangames2018) August 18, 2018

Indian athletes have traditionally done well at the Asian Games. This year, for junior world champion and reigning Asian champion Neeraj Chopra, is among the favourites for the gold medal in men’s javelin.

Here is the complete schedule of the opening ceremony:

Ceremony: 5.30 PM start (7 PM local time)

Parade of Athletes: 6.15 PM (7.45 PM local time)

Protocol: 7 PM (8.30 PM local time)

Ceremony show: 7.15 PM (8.45 PM local time)

Ceremony conclusion: 8.30 PM (10 PM local time)

-With IANS inputs.