A picture is worth a thousand words. With that in mind, Papua has launched the 2020 National Games (PON) official website, ponxx2020papua.com, in an effort to answer questions and dispel doubts.

Indonesia’s easternmost province will host its first PON, the biggest multisport competition in the country. About 6,400 athletes, 3,200 team officials and 2,800 officials will participate in the quadrennial event.

Papua is about 3,463 kilometers from Jakarta, an approximately six-hour flight away.

With unrest and challenges in building infrastructure for the Games, many have questioned Papua’s readiness to be the host. Nevertheless, Papua has found a way to illustrate its preparation through the website, which contains news, pictures and videos, as well as a countdown feature, among other content.

The 20th PON will run from Oct. 20 to Nov. 2, 2020 in Jayapura city as well as in other areas in Jayapura, Mimika and Merauke regencies. Initially, the Games were to be held in five areas, namely Jayapura, Biak, Jayawijaya, Mimika and Merauke.

Papua Communications and Information Agency head Kansiana Salle said the website was expected to help the public follow the development of the Games’ preparations. She added that the centralization of the Games in four clusters in the province had helped the organizer overcome challenges, specifically in telecommunication infrastructure.

“The biggest challenge for us is telecommunication infrastructure. Now, with the four areas chosen [to host matches], I feel that the infrastructure with Telkom in fiber optic [cable] in those four areas is ready to accommodate PON,” she told journalists on Wednesday, referring to the state-owned telecommunications company Telkom Indonesia.

“All employees of the communications and information agencies in those four areas are involved in handling information and technology affairs [for PON],” she added.

In concurrence with the website’s launch, the PON organizer also officially introduced the Games’ mascots, namely Drawa and Kangpho, which were inspired by the Papuan cenderawasih (bird of paradise) and tree-kangaroo, respectively.

Meanwhile, PON organizing committee secretary Elia Loupatty reassured that Papua was ready to host the Games, claiming that most construction work for the venues would be completed in December.

Just like with the hosting of any sports event, Papua also hopes to benefit from PON, in terms of sports development, economic gain and tourism for the province.

“The opening of PON will be followed by the Lake Sentani Festival, so people coming to Papua for PON can enjoy not just the Games but also the province’s tourist attractions.

“The condition of the road from Jayapura regency to the city is adequate for the Games,” he added.

To ensure there are enough rooms for accommodation, the organizer has an agreement with state-owned ship operator PT Pelayaran Nasional Indonesia (Pelni), which will provide a ship to accommodate 2,000 people should existing hotels in the province be insufficient during the Games.

Previously, security issues amid recent unrest in the province raised public concerns over the success of Papua in hosting PON. The organizer, however, has given assurances that the Cendrawasih Military Command (Kodam) and the Papua Police are ready to cooperate in safeguarding the Games.

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