By: Alfred Jigibalom) *
The government continues to work together in the success of the XX National Sports Week (PON) in Papua. One of these efforts is to provide the covid-19 vaccine to athletes who will compete in the biggest national sporting event.
On February 26, 2021, a total of 820 athletes received the vaccine, according to Vice President Ma’ruf Amin, vaccinating the athletes is important because they will participate in a number of competitions, both domestic and global.
Ma’ruf Amin said, there are only two things that can make the red and white flag fly in other countries, namely when the head of state arrives, and when an athlete wins a competition.
Athletes themselves are included in the second phase of the vaccination program, along with the elderly and public service workers, such as media crews, tourism workers and traders.
On the occasion of the virtual conference, the Minister of Youth and Sports Zainudin Amali explained about the implementation of the Covid-19 vaccination for athletes. He said he had requested as many as 5 thousand doses of the Covid-19 vaccine for national athletes from the health ministry.
On the occasion of the virtual conference, the Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) Zainudin Amali explained related to the implementation of Covid-19 vaccination for athletes. He said he had asked for as many as 5 thousand doses of the Covid-19 vaccine for national athletes to the Ministry of Health.
Covid-19 vaccination for athletes in the first stage is prioritized for athletes who are in Jakarta, preparing to compete.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Youth and Sports also coordinates with the Regional Health Office to vaccinate Covid-19 for athletes who are returning to their hometowns.
On a different occasion, Minister of Health (Menkes) Budi Gunadi Sadikin said that Covid-19 vaccination for athletes is prioritized for those who will compete in the international and domestic arena.
This statement was conveyed by Minister of Health Budi Sadikin when he reviewed the implementation of vaccinations for athletes, coaches and support staff at Istora Senayan.
On this occasion, Budi together with the minister of youth and sports Zainudin Amali, Menko PMK Muhadjir Effendy and DKI Governor Anies Baswedan, accompanied Vice President Ma’ruf Amin to inspect vaccinations.
Budi said that the currently available coronavirus vaccine is still limited so that the main priority is still directed to health workers and the elderly.
He also hopes that the vaccinations given to athletes will later support athletes to be able to fly the Red and White Flag Abroad.
On different occasions, as many as 620 athletes in Tangerang City, Banten received the second phase of the Covid-19 vaccine. Hundreds of athletes / sportsmen who get this vaccine will later compete in the 6th Banten Provincial Sports Week (Porprov) which is located in Tangerang City in 2022.
One of the athletes with disabilities from the discus throwing athletics category, Damiri admitted that he was happy to be part of the vaccination.
On different occasions, all sports that passed the XX Papua PON in Riau Islands requested that they get vaccinated immediately, considering that several regions have injected vaccines for their athletes.
Responding to this, Deputy General Secretary of KONI Kepri, Amri asked athletes to be patient.
His party has coordinated with the Riau Islands Provincial Government regarding Covid-19 vaccination for all or athletes who pass PON.
Amri also understands that athletes feel that their preparations have been hindered by the Covid-19 Pandemic. He also said that vaccination cannot be done simultaneously, but alternately, the point is that all athletes will get vaccinated, it is just a matter of time.
Do not rule out, KONI Kepri will also convey the aspirations of the athletes to qualify for this PON to the elected Governor, Ansar Ahmad.
The reason is, the Covid-19 Pandemic has had a significant impact on the preparation of each sport to pass PON.
On February 22, 2021, each sports manager had asked KONI Kepri regarding athlete vaccination. Just waiting for further information from them.
This request is submitted in the form of an audience. Where, all the aspirations of each sports manager have been accepted by KONI Kepri.
Vaccination for athletes is a form of support for athletes who want to excel and raise the nation’s self-esteem at the national and international levels.
The central government and provincial governments should be concerned about athletes whose activities have been disrupted for a long time during the pandemic, so that athletes can compete with their best performance for a long time.
) * The author is a Papuan student living in Solo
