By: Moses Walker )*
PON XX Papua is not only a competition for athletes, but also a symbol of brotherhood. Therefore, the success of PON XX Papua is a must.
The implementation of the XX Papua PON is getting closer, the Head of the Intelligence and Security Agency of the Police Commissioner General Paulus Waterpauw said that the XX Papua National Sports Festival (PON) is a state honor that must be successful. The multi-pronged sporting event which will be held in October 2021 should not be delayed.
This statement followed the wish of the Regent of Mimika Eltinus Omaleng who wanted the event to be postponed. Eltinus have sent s vein to President Jokowi to consider delays due XX PON transmission case C ovid-19 higher and more deaths.
Waterpauw said he had met the Regent of Mimika Eltinus Omaleng to discuss the matter. He said that vaccination in Papua would be accelerated. The Papuan regional police chief for the two periods said that there were still many local people who would later become active spectators of PON XX who did not want to be vaccinated. This is a result of the characters.
He also asked Eltinus to immediately gather community, religious and other leaders who have been refusing the COVID-19 vaccination program. Vaccination must get support from all parties. He also asked Papuans to participate in the COVID-19 vaccination program . This is important to increase the body’s immunity in the face of the threat or danger of the deadly corona virus.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health (MoH) accelerate vaccination C ovid-19 in a number of cities / regencies 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 continue to be carried out, even though it is faced by various groups of people. The Regent of Mbaraka said that the agreement on the budget or financing had been completed, although there were differences of understanding here and there between PB PON and Sub PB PON . Even if it is part of an ongoing process.
Regarding the PON schedule, the Minister of Youth and Sports Zainudin Amali ensured that the Papua PON would continue as scheduled. Zainudin said that all parties need not worry because the government has committed to vaccinate athletes, officials and the community around the match venue for the realization of a safe XX Papua PON. He admitted that he had coordinated with the Minister of Health, Budi Gunadi Sadikit, regarding the availability and implementation of vaccinations, which were confirmed to be carried out before the Papua PON was held.
Meanwhile, Deputy Governor (Wagub) Klemen Tinal ensured that conditions in Papua were safe and conducive. According to him, the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) conflict occurred far from the venue for the PON match. He also hoped that the participants from various regions would not be affected by the news stating that Papua was not safe. Klemen also added that the preparations for organizing PON in four locations in Papua namely Jayapura City, Jayapura Regency, Merauke and Timika have also been confirmed to be almost 100%, especially lodging and venues.
On different occasions. Jayapura Mayor Benhur Tomi Mano said the community was very proud of the trust in the plan to organize XX PON in Papua. Moreover , international standard venues have been built .
The Mayor of Jayapura admitted that his party had given encouragement to the entire community, including the three regents in Papua, to jointly succeed in organizing the XX Papua PON. He also explicitly said that the four regencies and cities where the XX PON was held were very safe.
For Papua, PON is a very important event, because this event will of course support the government’s efforts in realizing 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.
With the guarantee of Papua’s security during the implementation of PON XX, of course, the success of PON is a must.
)* The author is a Papuan student living in Gorontalo
