{
  "id": 8448538,
  "title": "Asian Games kick off in Nagoya: UAE takes centre stage at grand opening ceremony",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/asian-games-kick-off-in-nagoya-uae-takes-centre-stage-at-grand",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-19T10:34:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/sport/asian-games-kick-off-in-nagoya-uae-takes-centre-stage-at-grand-opening-ceremony-1.500680522"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The 20th Asian Games commenced in Nagoya on September 19, 2026, with the UAE leading the opening ceremony at Paloma Mizuho Stadium. The 16-day event, featuring 43 sports and 469 events, saw 165 UAE athletes compete across 23 disciplines. The nations' parade began with Afghanistan, followed by Bahrain, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Singapore, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Palestine, Brunei, and Bangladesh. Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Crown Prince Akishino, and Crown Princess Kiko attended the ceremony, which also featured a dance performance forming the word \"WELCOME.\" The UAE has won 60 medals at the Asian Games, with the majority won in the last two editions. This marks the UAE's 13th appearance at the continental sporting event, with female athletes now comprising 48 of the 165 participants.",
  "summary": "The 20th Asian Games officially opened in Nagoya on Saturday, with the UAE taking centre stage as its 165-member delegation joined athletes and teams from across Asia at the start of the 16-day continental sporting event. The Games run from September 19 to October 4 and feature 43 sports and 469 events. UAE joins nations’ parade in Nagoya The nations’ parade got underway at Paloma Mizuho Stadium…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 10,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Antara News Indonesia",
        "title": "Indonesia's Sumaya advances to Asian Games teqball final",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/indonesias-sumaya-advances-to-asian-games-teqball-final",
        "published": "2026-09-19T07:59:45.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "KBS World Radio",
        "title": "20th Asian Games Kick Off in Japan for 16-Day Run",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/20th-asian-games-kick-off-in-japan-for-16-day-run",
        "published": "2026-09-19T09:03:40.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "Asian Games 2026: Meet Teqball, the sport that could give India its first medal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/asian-games-2026-meet-teqball-the-sport-that-could-give-india-its",
        "published": "2026-09-19T09:19:38.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "France 24",
        "title": "Japan under pressure amid accommodation woes as Asian Games kick off",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/japan-under-pressure-amid-accommodation-woes-as-asian-games-kick-off",
        "published": "2026-09-19T10:02:06.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Bangkok Post",
        "title": "Asian Games open in Japan after troubled build-up",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/asian-games-open-in-japan-after-troubled-build-up",
        "published": "2026-09-19T10:30:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Asian Games open with unity message after troubled build-up",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/asian-games-open-with-unity-message-after-troubled-build-up",
        "published": "2026-09-19T10:35:37.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Asian Games open with unity message after troubled build-up",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/asian-games-open-with-unity-message-after-troubled-build-up-8447816",
        "published": "2026-09-19T10:52:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Asian Games open in Nagoya with celebration of solidarity and Japanese culture",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/asian-games-open-in-nagoya-with-celebration-of-solidarity-and",
        "published": "2026-09-19T11:12:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Asian Games 2026 opens amid troubled build-up and complaints from athletes",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/asian-games-2026-opens-amid-troubled-build-up-and-complaints-from",
        "published": "2026-09-19T11:13:43.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}