By: Zulkarnaen *
XX 2020 National Sports Week (PON) will take place in Papua in October. The event, not only as a venue to show the achievements of sports athletes in Indonesia, but at the same time as a moment to strengthen the fabric of brotherhood and unity among the nation’s children in the frame of the Republic of Indonesia. Therefore, it is appropriate that the PON XX 2020 get support from all Indonesian people.
A number of preparations have also been speeded up for the success of this national sports event, among others by building a number of infrastructures and supporting facilities and infrastructure. According to the Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora), Zainuddin Amali, the venue to be used is targeted to be completed before the test event in July 2020, while one of the venues ready for use in PON XX is the Bangkit Bangkit Stadium, which will be used as the location of the opening and closing events PON XX.
In the framework of the success of this prestigious sports party, the Menpora has instructed that government agencies, both at central and regional levels, as well as the TNI-Polri, take part in socializing PON XX Papua. Menpora has great confidence that Papua Province as part of the Republic of Indonesia, is able to hold any major events that can add value to the progress of Papua.
The activities held by the Ministry of Youth and Sports with the Jakarta Police to promote PON XX in the Car Free Day (CFD) of the HI Roundabout, Central Jakarta, Sunday (2/23/2020). In addition to promoting PON XX, Menpora and Polda Metro Jaya also campaigned for anti-drugs for the community.
On the occasion, the Menpora revealed that the PON event in Papua would not be much different from the PON event in other provinces because Papua was part of the Republic of Indonesia.
Until now, support for organizing PON XX 2020 Papua continues to flow. Solidarity and nationalism grew among Papuans who were very enthusiastic about welcoming PON XX in their region. One of the supports came from the Manuri Tribe in the Waibu District, Jayapura Regency. Chief Manuri, Soleman Manuri said, Manuri tribe, plans to display local wisdom in the form of culinary specialties to spoil the eyes and tongues of guests and athletes who come from outside Papua. He said he would make cultural huts that provide local foods such as papeda wrap, areca nut and others.
To note, in addition to Jayapura City, PON will take place in Mimika and Merauke Regencies by competing 37 sports branches and 56 discipline numbers. In Merauke Regency, motorized, chess, wrestling, women’s soccer, wushu and fencing will be held. Meanwhile, Mimika is a venue for athletics, basketball, rock climbing, billiards, futsal, gliding, aeromodeling, skydiving, fights, and handball. Meanwhile, the branches of cricket, hockey, rugby, softball / baseball, shooting, hang gliding, paragliding, kempo, muaythai, gymnastics, aquatics, swimming diving, and archery will take place in Jayapura Regency. In Jayapura City, there are contested branches namely roller skates, men’s soccer, weight lifting, weight lifting, bodybuilding, taekwondo, karate, pencak silat, sails, paddles, sea diving, boxing, water swimming, judo, badminton, sepak takraw, indoor volleyball, beach volleyball, tennis, and women’s softball.
For the people of Papua, XX PON has its own meaning. Papua is believed to be the venue for a prestigious national event, proving that Papua is an integral part of Indonesia. There is no difference with other regions. Even the acceleration of development equity has become the focus of the government to advance regions throughout Indonesia.
The benefits and positive impacts can be felt through this PON XX sporting event, the sense of ‘torang samua basodara’ is inherent in Indonesian people and the international community is also amazed to see unity and unity in our beloved country. Let’s together support the security and smooth implementation of PON XX 2020 in Papua for the sake of a better Indonesia.
Indonesia Forward, prosperous people. ()
- Social Economy Observer