We will continue to work together with all officers and communities in Jayapura, Timika, and Merauke to ensure conducive implementation of the PON XXJakarta (ANTARA) - Head of the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) Commissioner General Boy Rafli Amar on Friday inspected the XX National Sports Week (PON) roller-skating venue in Papua to ensure the competition would run safely.
"We will continue to work together with all officers and communities in Jayapura, Timika, and Merauke to ensure conducive implementation of the PON XX," he said in a statement on Friday.
Besides visiting the competition venue, the former Papua Regional Police chief had the opportunity to award medals to the roller-skate athletes of Jakarta, Central Java, and East Java for winning the men's and women’s 24-km marathon events.
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He lauded the enthusiasm and sportsmanship of the athletes participating in the tournament.
Meanwhile, the general chairperson of the Indonesian Roller Skate Association (Perserosi), Velix Vernando Wanggai, appreciated the support of BNPT in fostering Indonesia's young generation.
According to him, the smooth implementation of the games will improve the talent of the younger generation, which can have a positive impact on Papua and Indonesia.
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Furthermore, sports is an effective form of diplomacy for increasing solidarity and peace in the hosting region, he added.
"It is a very good starting point conducted by the head of BNPT in terms of social development by using a soft approach for development in Papua," he said.
After obtaining a positive response from the community, the counterterrorism agency is committed to continuing to collaborate with local security forces and related stakeholders so that the sports event can run safely, he added.
The PON will officially open on October 2, 2021 at the Lukas Enembe Stadium. However, competitions in a number of sports have already begun. Currently, the Jakarta contingent is on the top of the medal standings.
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Translator: Putu Savitri, Uyu Liman
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
