If they violate the rules, the sanctions imposed at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics involving athletes’ repatriation can also be applied here.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Sanctions will be imposed on athletes participating in the XX Papua National Sports Week (PON) if they violate rules, especially the health protocols, Chairman of National Sports Committee (KONI) Lieutenant General (retd.) Marciano Norman has said.

He emphasized that zero tolerance will be shown to anyone who violates the rules at the nation’s biggest sporting event.

"I urge all participants to obey the health protocols. If they violate the rules, the sanctions imposed at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics involving athletes’ repatriation can also be applied here," he said at a virtual event titled ‘Preparation for the Implementation of the COVID-19 Health Protocols at XX Papua PON, Reflecting on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics’ on Wednesday.

He said KONI is fully focused on the implementation of the health protocols as they would be one of the important factors in the success of the national sporting event.

Hence, he urged all contingents to comply with all the rules applied in the midst of the pandemic.

Related news: Questions on health protocols linger as Papua sports week approaches

Meanwhile, Indonesian Ambassador to Japan Heri Akhmadi said that XX Papua PON organizers must reflect on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics conducted successfully despite the pandemic.

According to him, the key to the success of the world’s biggest sporting event was the implementation of strict procedures.

Hence, although the event was attended by thousands of participants, there were only 30 cases of COVID-19, he noted.

The possibility of virus transmission at XX Papuan PON will also exist, he said.

Whether transmission occurs or not will depend on the handling attempts, he added. "If there are COVID-19 cases, they have to be treated quickly," he advised.

"A sanction is an effective discipline attempt. For contingents who violate the rules, there will be repatriation and disqualification. Otherwise, the participants will tend to do the violations," he added.

Related news: Obeying health protocols is key to successful convening of Papua's PON




Translator: Muhammad Ramdan, Uyu Liman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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