By: Deny Satria) *
The holding of the XX Sports Week (PON) of 2020 will be held in Papua and will be held from October 20 to November 2, 2020. The making of Papua Province as the host of the XXth National Sports Week (PON) in 2020 is a milestone in Papuan sports. The people of Papua also appreciate PON XX in 2020 because they can introduce Papuan culture to the world.
Papua was chosen to host PON XX in 2020. The election of Papua to host a national sports party proves that Papua has the same capabilities as other regions in Indonesia. The implementation of PON in Papua is also of strategic value, both in terms of accelerating development, economic, social, cultural, to political. The event is also expected to be able to restore trust and arouse a sense of nationalism in the Papuan people. Therefore, the implementation of XX PON in Papua must be able to run successfully and optimally. No less important is that through the PON tourism in Papua can also be promoted.
The country’s sports party was decided to roll out 37 sports which were previously planned to be joined by 47 sports. However, through various considerations Kempora-KONI cut into 37 sports namely aerosport, aquatic, fencing, weight lifting, athletics, baseball, motorized, billiards, basketball, handball, volleyball, badminton, chess, cricket, rowing, wrestling, hoky, judo, karate, kempo, screen, shooting, muaythai, archery, rock climbing, pencak silat, rugby, diving, gymnastics, soccer, soccer takraw, roller skates, taekwondo, drajat fighting, tennis, boxing, wushu.
In Merauke Regency, motorized, chess, wrestling, women’s soccer, wushu and fencing will be held. While in Mimika it is a venue for athletics, basketball, rock climbing, billiards, futsal, flying laying, aeromodelling, skydiving, drajat fighting, and handball. While the branches of cricket, rugby hockey, softball, shooting, hang gliding, paragliding, kempo, muaythai, gymnastics, aquatics, swimming gymnastics, and archery will take place in Jayapura district.
The implementation of PON XX in Papua is very important, because so far development in Papua is still lagging behind and there are still those who view the marginal Papuan community, PON XX is the right momentum for the Indonesian people in accelerating equitable development in Papua. A number of projects to be used need to be completed to support PON XX in Papua.
Manuri Tribal Chief Soleman Manuri in Waibu District, Jayapura Regency said he was ready to support and succeed the PON XX as well as being actively involved. From the community side, enthusiasm has also begun to be seen. They are also involved in making handicrafts and souvenirs to enliven this four-yearly event. In addition, Soleman said, it would make cultural lodges. This is to spoil the eyes and tongue of the guests and athletes who come from outside Papua.
The construction of several venues continues to be accelerated, which is being carried out by the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR). The four sports arenas are located in Jayapura Regency, namely Aquatic and Istora Papua Bangkit venues in the Kampung Harapan Sports Area, East Sentani District, as well as the Cricket arena and Hockey Field (Indoor and Outdoor) in Kampung Doyo Baru, Waibu District. Istora Papua Bangkit Development in Jayapura Hope Village, Papua progress has reached 76.78% or faster than the schedule of 71.70%. Currently working on erection of beam D 14 / 26-28, Impact Bolt Rafter, Plumbing Work, Formwork Building for Utilities.
Until now, development is so fast, like the Papua Bangkit Stadium is expected to raise the name of Papua to the international scene and also encourage young people and Papuan athletes to be more enthusiastic to become champions, not only at the national level but also internationally. With that, he hopes that Papuan athletes will be more eager to make achievements at national and international levels. Also related to security issues in Papua will be maintained and conducive until the implementation of the XX National Sports Week (PON). For this reason, it is necessary to have an active role and support from the TNI and Polri in maintaining Papua’s conduciveness and to participate in the organization of this 4th Annual Sports Week so that it will run smoothly and benefit the nation a lot.
) * The author is a social political observer
