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First-ever National Games in Papua closes on a high note
The government lauded local authorities and residents for the smooth organization of the games, the first major sporting event in the restive easternmost region in Indonesia.
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Fireworks are seen from outside the Lukas Enembe Stadium, formerly known as Papua Bangkit Stadium, in Jayapura, Papua, during the closing ceremony of the 20th National Games (PON) on October 15, 2021. (JP/-)
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he 20th National Games (PON) in Papua ended on a high note on Friday, with the government lauding local authorities and communities for the smooth organization of the games, the first major sporting event in the restive easternmost region in Indonesia, despite initial reservations over security and coronavirus concerns.
The Games, which took place in a number of venues in and around Jayapura, as well as in the regencies of Mimika and Merauke, was opened on Oct. 2 after a year’s delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
More than 7,000 athletes participated in the quadrennial event, some of whom had arrived a week before the opening ceremony in Jayapura for preliminary matches.
The 20th PON will be followed by the National Paralympic Games on Nov. 2-15, which will also be held in Papua. For the next PON in 2024, meanwhile, Aceh and North Sumatra will take up the baton from Papua as the first provinces to cohost the games.
Successful games
Speaking at PON's closing ceremony on Friday, Vice President Ma’ruf Amin lauded the Papua administration and local communities for the smooth running of the “historic” games, which had been bogged down by logistical challenges, such as the massive infrastructure development required to hold the games and the multifarious safety measures required to ensure the safety of all parties involved amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“For me, this was the most challenging PON ever to be held,” Ma’ruf said in Lukas Enembe Stadium in Jayapura on Friday, to the cheers of the audience. “It turns out that not only Papuans are able to hold [the national games] but they were also able to hold it perfectly.”
