The 2018 Asian Paralympic Games – also known as the third Asian Para Games – opened in Jakarta on Saturday. The multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities will run until October 13 in Indonesia where the 2018 Asian Games was held between August 18 and September 2.

Around 3,000 athletes from 43 countries and regions will compete for 546 gold medals in 18 sports. The majority of the event will take place in Jakarta's Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Main Stadium.

The motto of the event is "The Inspiring Spirit and Energy of Asia." And the official mascot is named Momo and is a brahminy kite, known as elang bondol eagle in Indonesia, and it was chosen to represent motivation and mobility.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo addressed the opening ceremony, which involved 1,000 performers including 40 performers with disabilities, at the GBK Main Stadium. Also, a minute of silence was organized at the beginning to honor the victims of the 2018 Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami.

According to the Jakarta administration, free Transjakarta bus rides have been offered to the public on weekends and those with disabilities can use the bus transportation every day for free during the event. 

Meanwhile, the Indonesia Asian Para Games Organizing Committee said it will give a certain amount of free Asian Para Games tickets to several communities that support the disabled. Inside the city's sports venues, organizers have added several accessibility facilities, such as wheelchair ramps, and spectator seating and restrooms for people with impairments. 

China sent a 232-member team to compete in 15 out of the 18 sports, the biggest delegation for China in the history of the Asian Para Games, including 125 athletes competing in the tournament for the first time.