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Jokowi: PON should strengthen nation pride
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President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo gives a speech during the opening ceremony of the 19th edition of the National Games (PON) at the Gelora Bandung Lautan Api Stadium on Sept. 17. (Antara/M Agung Rajasa)
P
resident Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said he expects the 19th edition of the National Games (PON) in West Java to strengthen national pride and provide the momentum to improve sports development in order to deliver good quality athletes in the future.
"We must be able to create better competitions by involving the lowest level of the social ecosystem, the village," Jokowi said at the opening of the National Games on Saturday.
He added that the goal of developing sports was to better participate in bigger competitions like the upcoming Asian Games, the SEA Games and the Olympics.
The opening was beautifully organized, involving 3,000 dancers who performed modern dances that described the history of West Java culture and technology.
The three-hour ceremony was full of fireworks right from the start. (dan)
