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2020 National Games: Concerns raised about venues, security in Papua
Sport stakeholders expected to get involved in managing venues after Games.
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The National Games (PON) XX logo and Drawa, the 'cenderawasih' (bird of paradise) mascot. (Papua Province/Papua Province)
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number of concerns about the 2020 National Games (PON), ranging from the future use of venues to security, have been brought up at a hearing by House of Representatives Commission X, which oversees education, history and sports.
During the Wednesday’s hearing in Jakarta that involved the Youth and Sports Ministry, Indonesia National Sports Council (KONI) chief Marciano Norman raised questions about the sustainability of the venues and requested help from Commission X to support their maintenance after the PON, which will be held in the easternmost province of the country.
Marciano noted that some of the venues for the 2008 PON, which had been held in East Kalimantan, were neglected after the games.
“The East Kalimantan [administration] constructed an equestrian venue for the [2008] PON that was very expensive but now has turned into a market,” he said.
“I hope Commission X, along with KONI and the ministry, can look after the venues. [The facilities] must be the center of sport development in the country. The money used to build the venues would be wasted if they are not properly utilized,” he added.
The National Games in Papua will see athletes compete in 37 sports in Jayapura city as well as in the regencies of Jayapura, Mimika and Merauke from Oct. 20 to Nov. 2, 2020.
The venue construction process has passed the 50 percent mark but work on several facilities has fallen behind schedule.
