"The flame symbolises the huge responsibility for us to contribute to the PON Games' success and to raise our dignity as the games' host," District Head Omaleng remarked while receiving the PON Games flame at his official residence in Mimika, Papua, on Tuesday.
The district head echoed the joy of Mimika's residents after the province appointed the district as one of the four hosts for the first PON Games in Papua.
Omaleng expressed confidence that the PON Games can be held smoothly, and any doubts over Papua's security situation could be laid to rest.
"The doubts should be disproven only by the reality, and we should utilise the PON Games as an opportunity to expedite infrastructure development in the eastern Indonesian region," Omaleng affirmed.
Related news: Papua PON torch relay starts in Sorong, West Papua
The PON XX National Games' flame arrived at the Mimika district head's official residence at 12:30 local time (UTC +9) after safely landing at the Mozes Kilangin Airport, Mimika, at 11:00 local time.
Upon the torch's arrival in Mimika, it was relayed by four athletes: Julius Uwe (decathlon), Santia Tri Kusuma (bicycle racing), Maria Londa (athletics), and Muhammad Bima Abdi Negara (table tennis).
After the torch-receiving ceremony at the official residence concluded, the four athletes continued the relay around Mimika, with stopovers at Mimika's sports venues. The torch relay ended at the Mimika Old Market Square.
The PON Games torch will stay for a night in Mimika, symbolizing the warmth provided by the torch at night for the residents, before being taken to Wamena tomorrow.
Meanwhile, PON XX National Games Torch Relay Committee Head Carolus Bolly informed that the torch will be relayed to five traditional Papuan tribal regions during Sept 27-Oct 2 period.
The torch relay started from Biak, representing the Saereri tribal region, then Mimika (Mee Pago), followed by Wamena (Le Pago), Merauke (Ha Anim), and Jayapura District and City (Mamba/Tabi), before ending at the Lukas Enembe Stadium, Jayapura, for the opening ceremony, he expounded.
"The torch is being relayed through 3,367 km of air travel, 191 km on foot, and 20 km by lake route. The torch relay conveyed the message that Papua is ready to host the PON XX National Games," the torch relay committee head stated.
Related news: Papua PON: People cheer Torch Relay in Biak Numfor
Translator: Michael Siahaan, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Suharto
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