Muscat – Oman launched its campaign at the Asian Games on Saturday, with athletes set to compete in ten sports as the continent’s biggest multi-sport event opened in Japan’s Aichi-Nagoya region.

The sultanate is being represented in athletics, taekwondo, shooting, hockey, golf, fencing, cricket, weightlifting, sailing and beach volleyball at the 20th Asian Games, which run till October 4.

Oman’s delegation, led by Oman Olympic Committee President H H Sayyid Azzan bin Qais Al Said, joined athletes from 45 countries at the opening ceremony at Paloma Mizuho Stadium.

Shooter Butti bin Hamid Al Shibli carried the Omani flag as the delegation entered the stadium in 27th place during the parade of nations.

More than 35,000 spectators attended the ceremony, which featured performances celebrating Aichi and Nagoya, Japanese culture and the diversity of Asia.

The games bring together athletes competing in 43 sports under the slogan ‘Imagine One Asia’.

H H Sayyid Azzan said Oman’s participation is an important milestone for national sport and would give athletes, coaches and administrators valuable exposure to continental competition.

He said competing alongside athletes from different Asian nations would help Oman’s participants gain experience and support their development.

The ceremony began with the raising of the Japanese flag and the national anthem, followed by the entry of the participating delegations.