By Gary Anderson

Indonesian capital Jakarta will host the 2018 Asian Para Games ©AFP/Getty ImagesIndonesian capital Jakarta has been officially confirmed as the host city for the 2018 Asian Para Games, it was announced today. 

The confirmation came after a letter from Indonesia's Sports Minister Roy Suryo underlining its commitment to the event was handed over to Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) President Dato Zainal Abu Zarin at the current Games in Incheon. 

Indonesia emerged as the only viable candidate for the 2018 Asian Games and Asian Para Games after original host city, Vietnamese capital Hanoi pulled out earlier this year citing economic pressures.

APC secretary general Malini Rajasegaran confirmed that Indonesia will stage the Games in four years' time and that they will take place following the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta.

"I'm pleased to inform that Indonesia has pledged its commitment to organise the next edition of the Asian Para Games in 2018," said Rajasegaran.

"The Government of the Republic of Indonesia has agreed to host the 2018 Games in an official letter of acceptance dated October 17, 2014.

"APC extends its highest gratitude to the Indonesian Government for its commitment towards empowering and enhancing Para-sports and the Movement in the region.

"We look forward to a successful organisation of the 2018 [Asian Para Games] in Indonesia."

Indonesian Sport Minister Roy Suryo (right) presenting the official letter of acceptance as host of the 2018 Asian Para Games to APC President Dato Zainal Abu ©APCIndonesian Sport Minister Roy Suryo (right) presenting the official letter of acceptance as host of the 2018 Asian Para Games to APC President Dato Zainal Abu ©APC



Indonesia last hosted a major Para-sport event in 2011 when the city of Surakarta staged the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Para Games.

The next edition of the Games had been originally scheduled to be held in 2019 to avoid a clash with the Winter Olympics and the FIFA World Cup.

But, following Hanoi's withdrawal and them subsequently be handed to Jakarta, they will take place in 2018 to avoid a clash with Indonesian Presidential Election taking place the following year.

Jakarta will be the third edition of the Asian Para Games following on from Guangzhou, China, in 2010 and those currently underway in Incheon.

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