Indian athletes and officials pose with the Asian Games torch near the India Gate monument in New Delhi, India, July 15, 2018. The 18th Asian Games is scheduled to begin in Jakarta on August 18. (Xinhua/Partha Sarkar)

NEW DELHI, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The torch relay for the 18th Asian Games to be held next month in Indonesia started here on Sunday.

The torch for the games was lit at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, the site of the first Asian Games in 1951.

After the lighting ceremony, the torch relay began, with India's five-time world champion boxer MC Mary Kom being the first runner.

The flame will later head to Indonesia for the domestic torch relay covering 18,000 kilometers, before it reaches Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Jakarta for the opening ceremony of the 18th Asian Games on Aug. 18.