By: Timothy Gobay )*
The XX National Sports Week (PON) in Papua will still be held in October 2021. PON is a good moment to awaken national sports and strengthen national unity and integrity.
The pandemic has made the atmosphere gloomy because many have been affected by the corona virus. Due to the pandemic, some sporting events such as football leagues have also been temporarily suspended. So many athletes are vacuumed because there are no matches. In fact, when they compete, they are not only a spectacle, but also a guide because they teach sportsmanship and cohesiveness.
The XX PON event which will be held in October in Papua is a good moment because it is a national sport revival. The chairman of the DKI Jakarta KONI, Djamhuron P Wibowo, stated that domestic sports events will return to life after the PON is held. In times of pandemic, sport can bounce back, and PON XX is a great start.
Djamhuron added, the global pandemic is a challenge that must be overcome together. Don’t let the Covid-19 virus become an obstacle to the world of sports. However, we can bounce back from a pandemic through sport, and an example was at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The expectation from the Chair of the DKI Jakarta KONI is very relevant because the pandemic cannot automatically prevent all community activities, especially sports. There is indeed a risk but it can be minimized by administering vaccines to athletes, officials, and competition committees. So that even though it is still a pandemic, sports matches can still be held and are very safe because they comply with health protocols.
The revival of the sports sector is not only beneficial for the athletes, but also the people around them and the people who do business in the field. Imagine if PON XX is still postponed for some time during the pandemic? So many athletes are unemployed.
However, when the XX PON is still held in 2021 (because it has been postponed for a year) then athletes from various provinces will be able to compete to defend the fragrant name of their region. In addition, referees, officials, and people around athletes can also make a living. Likewise with the merchandising business, t-shirts, soccer balls, etc. Their efforts will be smooth because there is stimulation from PON XX.
The sports sector must rise because we don’t want to be a weak nation because we never cultivate fitness. When there is a national sports week, it will inspire many people to keep exercising at home. The reason is that you don’t want to stay at home when PPKM is enforced, so it’s an excuse to be lazy to move and eventually become obese.
Sport is also an inspiration because it teaches sportsmanship. When there is a PON XX broadcast on television or the internet, netizens throughout Indonesia will be sporty and admit their mistakes. Since 2014, we seem to have been divided into 2 camps, even though the presidential election has long since passed. When there is a XX PON, they will be sporty with each other and not blame each other.
In addition, do not forget the fact that sport is a source of national unity. For example, when there is a football match, many people watch on television and then enjoy commenting on their favorite athletes and their games. Likewise with matches in other sports, people will dissolve in euphoria and discuss it together on social media.
PON XX Papua is a very important moment to rise again, even though Indonesia is still suffering from a pandemic. The field of sports in Indonesia must be raised because it creates a sense of sportsmanship and solidarity in society. PON XX is a milestone so that we can unite again and be active again in sports, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
)* The author is a Papuan student living in Yogyakarta