20 Historical Photos From The 1962 Asian Games In Jakarta

56 years ago, Indonesia hosted it’s first Asian Games.

The world was different back then.

Narrowly outvoting Karachi 20 -22, Jakarta was selected to host the 4th Asian Games. Geopolitics ensured Isreal and Taiwan were not invited to the Games (Ok, maybe some things were pretty similar).

Only 17 countries participated, including North Borneo, Sarawak, Ceylon, South Vietnam, and Burma – former nations that now make up a transformed SEA.

These countries raised a combined total of 1,460 athletes, in what proved to be a fantastic Games. In fact, the competition would help shape the Jakarta and Indonesia we know today.

Here are 20 nostalgic photos from the first time Jakarta hosted the Asian Games in 1962…

Gelora Bung Karno Stadium Was Finished In July 1962

Just in time for the Games in August, thanks to a loan from the Soviet Union.

IDN Times

It Was The Largest Stadium In Asia At The Time

With a capacity of 110,000 people… minimal seating, of course. Why sit when you can stand, anyway?

twitter.com/asiangames2018

President Sukarno Welcomes The Competitors

Sportourism

An Organised India

Kiddle encyclopedia

A Confident Japan

Who hadn’t marched like that through Jakarta since 1945. (Too soon?)

Getty Images

And The Hosts, Indonesia

Who had the largest number of athletes at the Games.

InsideTheGames

President Sukarno And His Crew

Ngopibareng

Let The Games Begin!

Scorum

Obviously, The Television Coverage Wasn’t As Clear

Koransatu.com

Seriously, Is That Badminton Or Bridge?

YouTube

Though The Games Were A Stamp Collectors Dream!

Wikipedia

Look At That Inflation…

(All prices are shown in IDR)

PicClick UK

Heads Or Tails?

The commemorative coin for the 4th Asian Games… probably worth more than the highest Indonesian note around today!

Antiques Reporter

The Indian Team Were The Unlikely Heroes Of The Men’s Football

thesefootballtimes.co

Willing To Win Gold At All Costs

sportskeeda.com

Hong Kong’s Contingent

Considerably smaller than today.

Riausports.com

Indonesia’s Sarengat Wins Gold In 1962

A good omen for Lalu Muhammad Zohri?

Pinoy Athletics

Party Time At The Sukarno Residence

The Olympians

The 1962 Asian Games Statue – Ring A Bell, Jakartans?

The idealistic youngsters are still youthful enough to welcome the 2018 athletes, 56 years on.

Alterity

How The Games Finished

Wikipedia

Japan obviously stomped to victory 1962, but Indonesia put in tremendous effort to come second.

54 years later, we are seeing the same effort from Indonesia’s finest competitors and, indeed, the best of the rest of Asia.

Today – we remember the legends of the past, while supporting the heroes of the present.

May the best men and woman win!