The facilities can be used as athlete recruitment and training centers, he said during a visit to the Mimika Sports Center on Monday.
"I have visited the billiard and basket sporting arenas, and I am confident all sporting venues for the PON Games have been constructed as per international standards," he noted.
He stressed the necessity for keeping the sporting arenas operational and their effective utilization after the conclusion of the games, particularly at the Mimika Sports Centre, which houses athletics and basket sporting arenas, among others.
"After the conclusion of the games, it is important to conceive a plan to optimize the sports facilities," Effendy said.
"Let the Papuan youths' sporting skills be properly facilitated and trained at the sporting centers," he added.
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State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir, Youth and Sports Minister Zainudin Amali, president director of PT Freeport Indonesia, Tony Wenas, and Mimika district head Eltinus Omaleng also visited the Mimika Sports Centre on Monday and spent time watching a basketball match there.
Concurring with Effendy, Minister Amali urged the Papua provincial government to formulate a management plan for all sports facilities and arenas after the conclusion of the PON National Games to prevent the facilities from becoming neglected and falling into disuse.
The responsibility to manage the sporting facilities rested with the provincial authority as the central government had completed its task to assist the construction of the sports facilities, Amali reiterated.
The PON XX Games have been organized in Papua province from October 2 to October 15, 2021, with more than seven thousand competing in 37 sports disciplines in the games. The national games host venues have been spread in Papua province's four regions—Jayapura city and district, and Mimika and Merauke districts.
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Translator: Zuhdiar Laeis, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
