OCA Coordination Committee chairman Tsunekazu Takeda has claimed they are "very satisifed" with preparations in 2018 Asian Games host cities Jakarta and Palembang ©OCA

Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Coordination Committee chairman Tsunekazu Takeda has claimed they are "very satisifed" with preparations in 2018 Asian Games host cities Jakarta and Palembang following the conclusion of their eighth inspection visit.

Takeda, the President of the Japanese Olympic Committee and an International Olympic Committee member, said organisers were in "operational and implementation mode" and the planning phase was over.

Jakarta Deputy Governor Sandiaga Uno was among the officials to attend the two-day visit and stressed the Government would implement an efficient travel management plan for the Games.

Uno also revealed work would start on ways to ease traffic congestion during the Games when a series of test events are held in the Indonesian capital next month.

He said this would provide a case study for the Asian Games, due to run from August 18 to September 2.

The Coordination Committee concluded the visit by calling on the Organising Committee, chaired by businessman Erick Thohir, to finalise the Games schedule as soon as possible.

The official uniform for the Asian Games was revealed during the Coordination Committee visit ©OCA
The official uniform for the Asian Games was revealed during the Coordination Committee visit ©OCA

The two-day visit began in Palembang, capital of South Sumatra, on Saturday (January 13) and concluded yesterday.

During the Committee's inspection, Indonesian President Joko Widodo inaugurated the main stadium for the Games.

The Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, which will host athletics, football and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, was opened after IDR779.9 billion (£42 million/$58 million/€48 million) of improvement work was completed.

The venue played host to an international football friendly between Indonesia and Iceland, which the host nation lost 4-1.

Work done to the stadium includes upgrades to the lighting and sound systems while benches have been replaced by individual seats.

The capacity has dropped by 10,000 to 80,000.

The official uniform for the test events in February and for the Asian Games was also revealed during the Coordination Committee visit.

Around 10,000 athletes are due to compete at the 2018 Asian Games, the first edition to be held in two co-host cities, across 40 sports.