Jayapura, 11/2 (Jubi) – A Papuan sports official has urged other provinces to withdraw their bids to host National Games (Pekan Olahraga Nasional) in 2020 to make way for Papua province. Papua, Aceh, North Sumatera, Central Java, Bali and South Sulawesi are seeking to host PON XX in 2020.
“I asked KONI (the Indonesian National Sports Commitee) to convey this request to other provinces to withdraw their bids. Give the opportunity to Papua. Do not think that we are not capable,” said the chairman of KONI Papua’s foreign affairs division, Yan Ayomi.
Ayomi, who is also chairman of DPR Papua’s Commission C, made the appeal during a meeting with a KONI team which was verifying the readiness of Papua to host the games on Tuesday (11/2).
Ayomi said he had met representatives from the other five provinces and that they did not object to Papua being the host of PON 2020.
“It’s the time for the PON to be held in Papua. We have the budget. I asked KONI to put Papua in its shortlist,” he said.
The chairman of Commission E of DPR Papua, Kenius Kogoya said, “Organizing PON will have a positive impact on the Papuan economy. We hope KONI will support Papua to become the host of PON 2020 because PON in Papua is very important, especially from the political aspect,”
Meanwhile KONI first deputy chairman Suwarno, who lead the delegation to Papua said KONI has started the selection process.
“We learned one thing that Papua is eager to be a host of PON 2020 with its tag line “Papua for Indonesia”. That’s a point to consider when we are concluding the results of verification from the six provinces,” he said.
He said criteria for awarding the hosting of PON includes readiness of venues, accommodation, transportation, and meals as well as infrastructure and supporting facilities, including health services.
“What we want to see is existing preparations and future planning. For example currently venues have been completed 55 %,” he said.
He said he hoped DPR Papua was providing support in terms of budgeting.
“We are optimistic because every time we come to Papua, there are always changes,” he said. (Jubi/Arjuna/rom)
