Having learnt of a report from both the coordinating minister for human development and culture and the minister of youth and sports, Mr President decided to postpone (the 20th) PON and the 19th Pepamas (National Paralympic Week) originally scheduled
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government has officially postponed the 20th National Sport Week (PON) 2020 in Papua Province until October next year, according to Youth and Sports Minister Zainudin Amali.

"After receiving a report from both the coordinating minister for human development and culture and the minister of youth and sports, Mr President decided to postpone (the 20th) PON and the 19th Pepamas (National Paralympic Week) that were originally scheduled for October 2020 until October 2021," he remarked during a press teleconference in Jakarta on Thursday.

Amali noted that President Joko Widodo had decided to postpone the event during a limited meeting on Thursday morning held to discuss the organizing of the 20th PON and the 19th Pepanas.

The event was postponed until October 2021 after making adjustments in accordance with the timetables of international multi-events, including the U-20 World Cup in Indonesia from May to June 2021, SEA Games in Vietnam in November 2021, and Tokyo Olympiad and Paraolympiad in Tokyo from July to August 2021.

Earlier, the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission X had urged the government to postpone the quadrennial event amid concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic that had shown no signs of abating.

Moreover, the Papua government is imposing social restrictions over the COVID-19 pandemic, so the work to construct the venues, scheduled for completion in July, will come to a halt.

The National Sports Committee (KONI) and several members of the sports executive committee conceded to the fact that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic did have an impact on preparations for the event.


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Translator: Shofi Ayudiana/Suharto
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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