By: Reza Pahlavi )*
The successful implementation of the XX Papua National Sports Week ( PON ) should be a place to build the nation’s optimism, especially since this event is held in Papua Province which is far from the capital. The smoothness of the event of course will be the proof that each region is able to organize a national event.
By sloping down the Covid-19 case, we hope that PON Papua can be a momentum for the awakening of the Indonesian nation. In this case, Papua must be able to prove that the Papua Province can organize PON XX safely and without significant interference.
Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) Zainudin Amali ensured that the preparations for the PON and the Papua National Paralympic Week (Peparnas) went smoothly ahead of the implementation which will be held on 2 October. On the occasion of the virtual meeting of the Papua National Sports Week (PON) in Jakarta, Zainudin conveyed that the progress of the readiness of facilities and infrastructure in general was going well. He also said that the infrastructure preparation was reported to be no problem, and the communication between the PB PON Grand Committee and the existing sub-sub-committees was also good.
Yunus Wonda as the Daily Chair of PB PON said that his party is currently focusing on the delivery of goods related to PON Papua, such as match equipment for each sport. Meanwhile, General Chairman of the Central KONI Marciano Norman explained that the schedule for the arrival of the technical delegates is planned for September 15, while athletes will start arriving in Papua four days later or on September 19 before participating in the Youth PON on October 2-15.
Previously, the Manuri Tribe’s extended family stated that they were ready to support the implementation of the XX PON. The Manuri tribal chief, Soleman Manuri said , as a form of support that will be carried out in the success of the PON, the Manuri tribe will display local wisdom in the form of local culinary delights, to pamper the eyes and tongues of guests and athletes who come from outside Papua. To that end, Soleman invited all indigenous Papuans (OAP) not to be just spectators in the implementation of the XX PON, but to be involved in the success of the national agenda.
Meanwhile, the Ambassador of PON XX Papua, Boaz Solossa, ensures that PON XX will continue to be carried out a. This was conveyed by Boaz following the news that PON would be back due to the impact of the increase in Covid-19 cases.
The Papuan PON was originally set to take place in October 2020, then it was postponed by one year due to the global outbreak of the corona virus . So indirectly involved in the preparation of the Great Committee (PB) PON. The four-year multi-sport event was finally decided to take place on October 2-15, 2021.
For Papua, PON is a very important event, because this event will of course be an added value for equitable development in Papua to equitable economic development in Papua. Because the success of PON is not only a matter of successful implementation and successful achievements.
This national event should be supported because PON is able to improve the economy of the community in the villages, especially if the community can sell local Papuan accessories, as well as local specialties that can be sold at tourist attractions. This of course will boost economic sales and even PAD in each area designated as a PON cluster.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) has accelerated COVID-19 vaccination in a number of cities/districts in Papua. This aims to support the implementation of PON XX on October 2-15, 2021.
On different occasions, Drs. Romanus Mbaraka, MT said that he was optimistic that the XX PON event should still be held according to schedule. According to him, PON XX is the identity of the Papuan people and must still be carried out successfully, even though it is faced by various groups of people.
Regent Mbaraka said, the agreement on the budget or financing has been completed, although there are differences of understanding here and there between PB PON and Sub PB PON. Even if it is part of an ongoing process.
The success of PON XX Papua is a fixed price, this multi-branch event is getting closer, of course each region will show its best performance so that later it can bring home medals from Cenderawasih earth.
)* The author is a citizen living in Depok