The proposed number of events at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta-Palembang is to be reduced from 493 to 431, with cricket, skateboarding, sambo and surfing among the sports being removed to reduce the burden on organisers.

There will also be reduced competition in some other sports.

The new total of 431 events, agreed by the Olympic Council of Asia and the local organising committee, is six fewer than the 437 events that were held at the Incheon Asian Games in 2014.

In a statement, the OCA said: “In addition, the inclusion of equestrian in the sports programme was put on hold until the Asian Equestrian Federation elects its President by August 18, 2017 – a minimum of one year before the 18th Asian Games.”

Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah, the OCA president, added: “OCA and INASGOC [the organising committee] will work hand-in-hand to create another cost-effective Asian Games model, but a highly successful one.”

A record number of 42 sports were contested at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, but this programme was reduced to 36 sports at Incheon 2014.

Sportcal