By: Zulkifli Syarwani
The 21st National Sports Week (PON) held in Aceh and North Sumatra in 2024 is an important milestone in the revival of Indonesian sports under the leadership of the seventh President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo.
The event is not only a competition arena, but also a great momentum that confirms the achievements of national sports in recent years. As a major multi-sport event participated in by 46 sports, PON XXI has succeeded in creating space for the birth of talented young athletes who are ready to bring Indonesia’s name to the international stage.
President Jokowi emphasized that PON XXI is not only aimed at achieving achievements, but also to produce a new generation of Indonesian athletes who are capable of setting world records.
According to the national leader who was born in Surakarta City, PON XXI must be a place to develop superior athletes who will later compete in international events, including the SEA Games, Asian Games, and even the Olympics.
Thus, PON Aceh-North Sumatra has created a strong foundation for the development of Indonesian sporting achievements, which are not only limited to the national level, but also towards the global stage.
Since being inaugurated as President of the Republic of Indonesia in 2014, Joko Widodo has continued to demonstrate a strong commitment to the development of national sports. He sees events such as PON XXI as an important tool for forging national unity, while also improving the quality of Indonesian athletes in the international arena. This is very relevant considering that improving sports achievements requires not only adequate infrastructure, but also sustainable and quality competition events.
The Indonesian Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) Dito Ariotedjo also gave a similar view. The Minister of Youth and Sports assessed that the Aceh-North Sumatra PON is not just a sporting event, but a strong symbol of Indonesian unity.
Amidst the many differences that exist in this country, sports can be a unifier. In addition, PON is also considered an important means to improve national sports achievements.
With competitions in various sports, athletes have the opportunity to showcase their talents and abilities, which will ultimately strengthen Indonesia’s position in the world sports scene.
The success of PON XXI is also inseparable from the support of the host regions, namely Aceh and North Sumatra. The Regent of Serdang Bedagai, H. Darma Wijaya, stated that this PON is a historic moment for the revival of sports, especially in the North Sumatra region.
He highlighted the importance of the PON event in raising the spirit of sports, not only among athletes, but also the wider community. This moment is expected to be an encouragement for regions to be more active in fostering sports, while also producing local athletes who are able to compete at national and international levels.
During his two terms in office, President Jokowi has paid great attention to the development of sports infrastructure. The construction of world-class venues in various regions, including Aceh and North Sumatra, proves his commitment to advancing the world of sports.
Quality infrastructure is certainly an important factor in supporting athletes to excel, and this is clearly seen in the implementation of PON XXI. The various modern venues used in this PON reflect Indonesia’s readiness to organize international standard sports events.
In addition to physical development, events such as PON XXI also play an important role in shaping the character and mentality of athletes. According to the Head of State, sports events must be a place where values such as sportsmanship, togetherness, and a healthy competitive spirit continue to be developed.
These values will later become important provisions for athletes when they compete in international competitions. Thus, PON XXI not only produces champions, but also forms superior characters who are ready to face greater challenges on the world stage.
It is undeniable that the success of PON XXI Aceh-North Sumatra is also a reflection of the success of government policies under the leadership of President Jokowi.
As the first Indonesian President who was previously a regional head and not from the political or military elite, President Jokowi has shown a different approach in leading the country, including in the field of sports. An approach that is closer to the people, including athletes, has had a positive impact in creating a healthy and conducive competitive climate in the world of sports.
PON XXI is not the only major sporting event held in the Jokowi era, but its success is a symbol of the rise of Indonesian sports. Amidst the various challenges faced by the nation, sports remain an important pillar in building national pride and unity.
With the ongoing initiatives to improve sporting achievements, Indonesia is increasingly ready to compete at the world level, bringing the nation’s name to the pinnacle of glory.
In the future, the success of PON Aceh-Sumut is expected to continue with the holding of various other major sporting events. Through this momentum, Indonesia has the opportunity to create more achievements, while strengthening its position as one of the sporting powers in Asia and the world. This multi-sport event has confirmed that the rise of Indonesian sports is no longer just a discourse, but a reality that continues to develop.
*) Social Problems Researcher – Nusantara Social Studies Institute
