I told governors, 33 provincial offices of the Indonesian National Sport Committee (KONI), and athletes across Indonesia that Papua is ready to host PON 2020.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Papua provincial government has said it is prepared to host the 20th National Sports Week (PON) XX scheduled for October 2-15 this year.

With 100 days to go before the opening ceremony of PON XX, Jayapura Mayor Benhur Tommy Mano has assured that it is safe to host the quadrennial event, which was postponed for one year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in Papua.

“I told governors, 33 provincial offices of the Indonesian National Sport Committee (KONI), and athletes across Indonesia that Papua is ready to host PON 2020,” he said during a virtual event entitled ‘Eyeing Papua’s Preparedness for PON XX’ on Thursday.


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He made the remarks in response to uncertainty voiced by the public about the PON XX due to the conflict between Indonesian security agencies and Papuan separatists in the past few months.

He asked the public not to worry about the security situation in Papua, saying the areas affected by the conflict are far from the venue selected for PON XX.

He assured that the event will run smoothly as the local government has continued to step up COVID-19 vaccinations in four clusters near the PON venue. The move is expected to lower the risk of COVID-19 transmission during the event, he said.

“In accordance with the President’s instruction, the public must be vaccinated, accessories sellers must be vaccinated, athletes must be vaccinated, and spectators must be vaccinated. This proves in the four clusters. Their enthusiasm to get vaccinated is fairly high,” he remarked. (INE)


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Translator: Shofi Ayudiana/Suharto
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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