By: Ito Veritonaldi) *
The implementation of the XX 2020 National Sports Week (PON) in Papua has important significance for the community. In addition to being able to stimulate the regional economy, PON XX is also a place to promote the culture and talents of Papua to the world.
Implementation of XX PON 2020 will take place in three regencies in Papua. The areas are Jayapura City / Regency, Mimika Regency and Marauke Regency as Papua buffer districts. The activity will be held on October 20 to November 2, 2020.
Previously President Joko Widodo himself has paid attention to the success of the national sports event by stating that PON in Papua is not only a sporting competition, but also an arena to strengthen brotherhood, unity and solidarity between regions. Because PON does not only belong to the Papuan regional government and Papuans but also to all Indonesian citizens.
In the Decree (SK) issued by the Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI) 37 sports branches, 56 sports disciplines, 679 competition / race numbers and 6,442 athletes have been set. The 37 sports that were decided to be competed at PON were aerosport (aeromodelling, hang gliding, paragliding, felling, skydiving), aquatic (beautiful jumping, swimming, open water swimming, artistic swimming, water polo), fencing, weight lifting (weight lifting) weightlifting, weight lifting, bodybuilding), athletics, baseball / softball (baseball, softball), motorized, billiards, basketball (5X5, 3X3), and handball.
In addition, there are also volleyball (indoor volleyball, sand volleyball), badminton, chess, cricket, paddle (canoe, kayak, dragon boat), wrestling, hockey (field hockey, room hockey), judo, karate, kempo, sails, shooting, muaythai, archery, rock climbing, pencak silat, rugby 7’s, diving (swimming, sea), gymnastics (artistic, rhythmic, aerobic), soccer (soccer, futsal), sepak takraw, roller skates, taekwondo, fighting, tennis, tennis boxing and wushu.
While 10 sports that were affected by rationalization were bicycle racing, table tennis, bridge, gateball, water skiing, bowling, dancing, pentaque, woodball, and soft tennis. In formulating this list of 37 branches, several factors were considered. namely the readiness of the match venue and potential of the host, as well as looking at the Olympics and sports that have international achievements.
This national sporting event has become a place for the nation’s children to jump from various regions, showing achievements for the country to be able to excel in the international arena and make the nation proud. In its implementation, each region is expected to be able to show its best telenta as an enthusiastic proof of the sports party that is held every 4 years.
So that does not close the desire in this PON event has become a regional prestige in showing improved quality of human resources in the field of sports. As is the case in DKI Jakarta, he is optimistic that he can win the most gold medals at the XX / 2020 PON event in Papua. Head of Jakarta Youth and Sports Agency, Achmad Firdaus even promised to free PON XX athletes who want to practice using sports facilities owned by DKI Jakarta Dispora in order to be successful as General Champion in the implementation of XX PON in Papua.
Another passion is in the East Kalimantan Sport Dance Team that gets the most quota in PON XX in Papua. Head of East Kalimantan Sport Association of Indonesia Sport Training (IODI) Tri Murti Rahayu said the East Kalimantan Sport Dance Team got a quota of 7 couples / pairs or a total of 14 athletes. Tri himself acknowledged that competition in PON XX in Papua would be tightened. Therefore, despite successfully becoming the overall champion, the management will re-evaluate in preparation for PON. Mentioned about the target in the PON later, Tri said that at least they could maintain 3 to 4 gold medals from 17 contested numbers.
Related to the opening and closing events will be done by professionals who handle the opening ceremony of the Asian Para Games. when opening PON XX at the Bangkit Papua Stadium in Kampung Harapan, the location is very close to the Khalkote beach as a venue for the FDS. Therefore, this time the PON is truly nuanced in tourism.
The Head of the Jayapura Regency Culture and Tourism Office, Joko Sunaryo, Jayapura Regency Government strongly supports the deployment of the PON 2020. For this reason, his party will carry out a number of activities and programs intended for the community to prepare themselves for the upcoming national event.
The implementation of PON XX in Papua certainly provides many benefits for the people of Papua. Besides being able to move the wheels of the economy, PON XX is also able to promote the privileges of Papua to the people of Indonesia, even the world. Therefore, it is fitting for the Indonesian people to support and make the event a success.
) * The author is a citizen living in Tangerang