I hope that I can find a good athlete from the boxing sports branch during PON who can perform well and be successful in international events
Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA) - Former featherweight champion of the World Boxing Association (WBA), Chris John, has said that he is hoping to find his successor at the Papua National Sports Week (PON) XX.



"I hope that I can find a good athlete from the boxing sports branch during PON who can perform well and be successful in international events," John said while visiting the Jayapura district cluster's PON media center in Sentani,here on Saturday.



Papua PON XX can be a platform for amateur boxers to gain experience before moving on to the professional stage, he pointed out.



John, who is also on Indonesia's National Sports Committee (KONI), opined that boxers who have amateur experience can perform even better when they take up professional boxing.



He then advised athletes participating in the Papua PON XX to stay focus, follow their coaches' advice, and do the best they can.



"And of course, to give their best performance during the match," he affirmed.


Related news: Papua PON: Must-visit photo op locations around Jayapura clusters



The former WBA featherweight champion said there are several PON sports branches that may give birth to world-class athletes, including badminton, weightlifting, athletic, and swimming.



Overall, Papua PON will feature 37 sports branches and 679 matches. A total of 6,496 athletes and 3,300 officials are participating in the event.



Related news: Sports Minister to shift base to Papua during PON

Papua PON XX, which was delayed by a year due to COVID 19, will now be held from October 2 to October 15, 2021.



Locations for PON competitions are spread across four clusters: Jayapura city, Jayapura district, Mimika district, and Merauke district.



The matches for the boxing sports branch will be held in the Cendrawasih APO sports arena, Jayapura city, from October 3 to October 5, 2021.



Related news: North Sumatra's 25 Wushu athletes depart for PON

Related news: Task Force necessitates stringent health protocol application at PON

Translator: Arindra Meodia, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2021