PON Papua is believed to improve the economy of local communities

Jayapura Regent Mathius Awoitauw believes that the XX Papua National Sports Week (PON) 2021 will increase the economic growth of the people in his area.

"I believe this PON will have a considerable economic impact, not to mention in Jayapura City, not to mention in other regencies," he said during an online discussion on FMB9 Kominfo monitored in Jakarta, Saturday.

According to him, the local government has trained residents around the arena or venue to produce culinary and handicrafts which will later be sold during the Papua PON.

In fact, Mathius said that there were three cruise ships that were also prepared to relieve congestion on land during the opening and closing events of the sports week.

In addition, the local government has also prepared official drinks for PON and the National Paralympic Week (Peparnas) which are produced from local industries in Jayapura.

"Peparnas is ready to use the product, but for PON, while we are negotiating with the big committee so that we actually use local products, don't bring them from outside," said Mathius.

In addition to product preparation, he continued, his party has also met with indigenous peoples across the lake to welcome the Papuan PON fire.

Mathius explained that the sports week will be held on the shore of the lake and there is also the grandest stadium on the lakeside, so that local Papuan culture must be displayed in the event.

The local government has recruited more than 6,000 people to present stunning cultural attractions at the Papua PON.

"Their involvement will affect their income because they welcome it. In order to be successful, the committee must provide incentives for these attractions," said Mathius.

PON XX will take place in Papua on 2-13 October 2021 by involving athletes from 34 provinces in Indonesia. They will compete in 37 sports and 56 sports disciplines.

The government has prepared world-class match venues because the majority of the arenas are of international standard and officially certified according to the parent world organization of each sport.

The sports venues are spread across four cluster areas, namely Jayapura City, Jayapura Regency, Mimika Regency, and Merauke Regency.

In fact, there are also venues in Papua that are claimed to be the best in Indonesia, one of which is the Lukas Enembe Stadium, which is the main arena for the Papua PON.

The stadium, which has a capacity of more than 40,000 spectators, has international standards so that it can be used for Olympic-class sports activities.

The Director General of Human Settlements at the PUPR Ministry Diana Kusumastuti explained that the management of the PON venues had been handed over to the Papua Provincial Government.

According to him, there is a further management pattern that will be carried out by the Papua Provincial Government through the formation of UPTD which has been approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

"During the implementation of PON, temporary management will be carried out by PB PON, while post-PON in order not to stall, we will hand it back to the Papua Provincial Government," Diana said.

In addition to building venues, the Ministry of PUPR has also built various other infrastructures to support PON and Perpanas Papua such as six flats, athletes' homestay, construction of new roads and road construction, as well as drainage and sanitation.

"Hopefully the implementation of PON XX and Perpanas XIV in Papua will be successful, smooth, and beneficial for all of us in Indonesia," said Diana.

SOURCE: https://www.antaranews.com/berita/2285982/pon-papua-dibelii-ingkatkan-ekonomi- Masyarakat-lokal