Jakarta - Forty-three countries are scheduled to take part in the 13th Asian Junior Athletic Tournament to take place at the Senayan Sports Stadium here on June 12-15.

Among the countries which had confirmed  participation in the event were Japan, South Korea, Qatar, Iran, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and China, chairman of the event's organizing committee Tigor M Tanjung said on Monday.

He said the organizing committee was waiting for confirmation from Myanmar, Afghanistan, North Korea and Mongolia to participate in the event.

Indonesia was appointed to host the event during a council meeting held in South Korea in 2005.

Since then, the Indonesian Athletes Association (PASI) executive board had made as good preparations as possible for the event including grooming athletes, forming an organizing committee and improving facilities.

- Source : Antara News Agency, 27 May 2008