JAKARTA, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Young athletes started to compete in the 15th Junior Artistic Gymnastics Asian Championships in Indonesia's capital of Jakarta on Wednesday.
The event, which will end on April 28, attracts athletes from China, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Syria, Sri Langka, Kazakhstan, Qatar and host Indonesia, according to the committee of the sport event.
Indonesian Youth and Sport Minister Imam Nahrawi, accompanied by head committee of Asian Games Erick Tohir opened the event.
"This will be a test event for the establishment of gymnastic tournament in Asian Games," Nahrawi said.
For Indonesia this event would support preparation for Indonesian athletes to vie in some other championships, he said.
The 18th Asian Games takes place in Jakarta and Palembang city, the provincial capital of South Sumatra province from August 18 to September 2.
The multi-sport event will be followed by the Asian Para Games which is scheduled from October 8 to 16.
