Menpora Affirms XX Papua PON according to schedule

Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) Zainudin Amali responded to the confusion of news regarding the XX Papua National Sports Week (PON). He emphasized that the event, which was held every four years, remained on schedule.

This was conveyed by the Minister of Youth and Sports in a Coordination Meeting (Rakor) related to the preparation of the XX Papua PON in Jakarta, yesterday. Also present at this meeting, the General Chairperson of the Central Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI) Marciano Norman, Secretary General of the Central KONI Ade Lukman. Also present were the Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports (Sesemenpora), Gatot S Dewa Broto, Deputy of Sports Achievement Improvement of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Chandra Bhakti, Expert Staff for Central and Regional Relations of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Dwijayanto Sarosa Putera.

"Mr. Chairman of the Central KONI, Mr. Marciano, has just returned from there so he conveyed the latest developments, updates and of course this is one thing that is also encouraging for us that the problems that we have experienced so far have become a nuisance in preparation, we are slowly getting solutions. and the solution," said Menpora Amali, quoted from the official website of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Wednesday (9/6/2021).

In the Coordination Meeting which was held behind closed doors, the Minister of Youth and Sports said that there were several things discussed in this meeting, including the first about Papua's readiness to host the XX PON which will be held next October as well as listening to the report of the General Chairperson of the Central KONI who had just reviewed Papua's readiness.

"Because so far, confusing information has developed and it seems that there is an impression that it is not ready yet, there is even a discourse that raises it to be postponed. Even though this has been postponed since 2020, it is also a matter related to health because we know that we are currently experiencing a pandemic. COVID-19 is included in Papua itself," said the Minister of Youth and Sports.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Central KONI Marciano Norman said that he had just returned from Papua to directly monitor Papua's readiness to host the XX PON.

While in Papua, Marciano claimed to have held coordination meetings with PB PON sub-PB PON Merauke, Mimika, Jayapura and Jayapura City. Which was also attended by the Commander of the Cenderawasih Military Command, the Papuan Police Chief and all stakeholders involved in the implementation of the Papua PON.

"In terms of venue readiness, so far it is still in line with all of our expectations. In accordance with the time planning we made. There are some that are still in the process but it will be completed on time," explained Marciano.

Meanwhile, related to the problems that surfaced in the media, namely that there were cities that refused to be the host of the PON cluster, according to him, this was true. But what happened was that there was only a communication problem between PB PON and the local city.

"The problem is in communication, it has been resolved. I am at the direction of the Minister, we meet and we will solve it. God willing, the communication blockages will be resolved properly," he said.

Marciano also made sure about accommodation, transportation and consumption. According to him, everything has been discussed and will go as expected.

"The problem of the security situation which has been worrying all this time because the dynamics in Papua are also very dynamic, therefore I have received full support from the Papua Police Chief and the Cenderawasih Regional Military Commander and they optimally carry out security activities to ensure that this PON can take place safely and smoothly," he said.

Then for all athletes in the region, it is ensured that they will continue to carry out the Pelatda in their respective regions. "So the conclusion is that the Papua PON will continue as we expected," concluded Marciano.

SOURCE : https://sports.sindonews.com/read/450532/51/menpora-cepatkan-pon-xx-papua-dalam-kode-1623222381