JAKARTA, July 12 — Indonesia will provide tight security for nearly 17000 athletes and officials who will take part in next month’s multi-sport event, the chief organiser said today.
The Indonesian businessman said the August 18 — September 2 Games, featuring athletes and officials from 45 countries, will witness a 20 per cent increase in participation compared to the Incheon Games four years ago.
Security concerns for the event increased after suicide bombings claimed by Islamic State killed more than 30 people in the country’s second-biggest city of Surabaya in May.
Thohir said 100,000 police and army force personnel would guard the Games and the authorities would be using facial recognition technology at some of the locations.
“We’re also making sure countries who do not have good relations with each other are not staying at the same hotel,” Thohir, chairman of Italian football club Inter Milan, said.
North and South Korea will field joint teams in six events across three sports at this year’s Asian Games.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un had both been invited to attend, Thohir said. — Reuters
