KONI: PON XX Papua has no schedule shift

Regional KONIs throughout Indonesia still agree that the XX Papua National Sports Week (PON) event will be held according to schedule, namely October 2021.

Based on the coordination meeting between the Central KONI and the regional KONI, the General Secretary of KONI Papua, Kenius Kogoya, said that the XX PON agenda did not experience a schedule shift, and continued as it should be even though it was in a Covid-19 pandemic situation.

"Iven PON XX in Papua will still be carried out according to schedule in October and there will be no shift or delay due to the pandemic," said Kenius, recently.

The four-year event for Indonesian sports in Papua Land is also planned to be held without crowds of spectators, taking into account the pandemic situation.

KONI Papua itself considers this option to be slightly detrimental, considering that it will have an impact on the psychology of athletes.

"PON this time is a little different because it is in the middle of a pandemic. I don't know whether the organizers will allow spectators or not, even though the presence of the audience is very important to encourage our athletes to compete, "said Kenius.

In order to anticipate the realization of this discourse, Kenius appealed to Papuan athletes who are currently undergoing training camp (TC) to finalize their preparations.

"If it is then held without spectators, then what we ask our athletes to be well prepared so that they can become champions," said Kenius.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI) has yet to make a decision on this matter. KONI assesses that the implementation of the PON will greatly depend on the situation and conditions of the corona virus or Covid-19 pandemic in the country.

Chairman of the Central KONI Marciano Norman said that his party continues to coordinate with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Papua Regional Government regarding implementation options, including holding without spectators.

"But in response to the development of the Covid-19 threat, of course the Central KONI will always make evaluations from time to time," said Marciano.

However, in a webinar held by the Sports Journalists Section of the Indonesian Journalists Association (SIWO PWI) some time ago, the Central KONI admitted that he was optimistic that the XX PON event in October this year would be carried out even though with the option to be held without spectators.

Marciano Norman said, reflecting on the pandemic situation that has not subsided in Indonesia, all parties need to sit together to find a solution or a way out so that the sports agenda that has been scheduled for this year, including PON XX in Papua, can still be carried out.

By implementing strict health protocols and synergizing with policy makers, he said, the sports agenda that had been scheduled would definitely work.

"This hope is certainly not without reason. We see events in several friendly countries can be held well. We need to unite opinions between sports event organizers, Central KONI, Commission X DPR RI and Kemenpora to sit together to find a way out, because stopping the activity is not a solution, "he concluded.

Source: https://jubi.co.id/koni-pon-xx-papua-tak-ada-per Shift-j Schedule/