One guest has complained about the lateness of the food. “When will the food come? It's past lunchtime!" he yells over the intercom.
The 23-year-old smiles patiently and replies, “Just a moment, sir. A little bit more. I have confirmed with the caterer, the food is on the way."
"But when?" the guest persists.
In response, Ayomi rushes to the referee's secretariat room to directly apologize for the delay.
"Even though the delay was in the delivery, I was still feeling guilty because I could not show my best work to them," Ayomi told ANTARA.
Ayomi may not be an important or decision-making official, who usually gets all the spotlight. She is just one of the thousands of volunteers helping keep the XX Papua PON run smoothly.
However, apart from their small role, people like Ayomi have a big hand in the successful running of the multi-sports event. When the contingents go back to their lodging or the spectators head back to their homes, Ayomi and other volunteers finish up all the work at the venue.
They are also the ones who are at the forefront of dealing and serving athletes, guests, and spectators at the four-yearly national sports event.
The volunteers have been prepared by the PON Grand Committee to ensure the convenience of delegates, athletes, and other participants by providing information or assistance in other necessary tasks. Some have also been prepared to ensure the cleanliness of each arena.
At least 25 thousand volunteers are involved in Papua's ongoing games. Some are serving as liaison officers, volunteers, or workforce for the event.
They have been recruited after fulfilling all the requirements for PON volunteers, which include furnishing electronic identity cards (e-KTP), a taxpayer's corporate number (NPWP), a vaccine certificate, and a 3x4 cm photo.
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They have also been provided training materials with basic knowledge related to PON and sports branches, Papuan culture, communication skills, problem-solving skills, and hospitality.
As many as 18,500 volunteers are currently spread across four clusters of PON—6 thousand in Jayapura city, 6,600 in Jayapura district, 2 thousand in Merauke district, and 3,900 in Mimika district.
Due to their voluntary status, the PON committee has not promised them a salary. However, head of Jayapura City's PON HR division, Abdul, has confirmed that the volunteers would be given a transportation replacement fee of Rp300 thousand per day, adjusted to the number of days they serve in the PON competition arena.
"One thing for sure is we will give them transportation fee, not a salary," Abdul said.
Ayomi does not mind the little money she will receive as a volunteer. She is more focused on her role and contribution at the XX Papua PON.
It is because she thinks she will not experience another chance to volunteer at a national-scale event, especially in Papua, her hometown.
Every morning, Ayomi leaves early so she can reach the arena by 7 o'clock. Luckily, she lives in the Hamadi area, which is close to the rowing arena. She only needs to pay for gas to travel to the location because breakfast, lunch, and dinner are already provided.
"I ride my own vehicle, I only filled the gas for about Rp15 thousand. It could last for four to five days," she said.
She admits that being a volunteer can be quite tiring, but it is worth the experience.
Besides gaining experience as a volunteer, she said that PON is a chance to show that Papua is capable of holding a big event and an answer to those calling Papua a disadvantaged region.
"With an event like this, it shows that Papua can also be more advanced, compete in big events, and be considered seriously," she emphasized.
On international scale
Sharon Femida Ansanay relates a similar story. She has been assigned to clean the rowing venue at the Youtefa Bay every morning and evening. Every day she gets a bunch of complaints, she said.
The fifth-semester student from Cenderawasih University said that her job for cleaning the tribune finishes before 7 a.m. And already she has received a complaint."Why this one has not been cleaned yet?" someone yells.
Instead of fighting back, she smiles and returns to clean the tribune arena.
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"I would rather finish the job than get angry. I feel bad for my coordinators. They are already tired of their jobs, too. I do not want to make them angry anymore. Even though I arrived early in the morning, I can clean it again. It is not a big deal," Ansanay said.
Despite the daily complaints, she said she is happy to be a part of the XX Papua PON, which is being held in Papua for the first time.
While speaking to ANTARA, her eyes shine as she recalls the magnificent PON opening ceremony in her hometown, which was attended by President Joko Widodo and other ministers, and which she thinks was amazing.
She likens the experience to being transported into a fairy-tale land even though she only watched the ceremony on her smartphone with other volunteers at the rowing arena.
She said she watched a number of national and Papuan singers accompanied by hundreds of dancers on stage at the Lukas Enembe Stadium, as well as creative performances before the ceremony closed with a breathtaking fireworks display that lit up the Jayapura sky.
"It felt like we were in a foreign country,” she gushed.
"I am proud to be a Papuan and for the event to be held here," she added.
As a volunteer, Ansanay does not feel her job is burdensome, despite facing a barrage of complaints.
For the 20-year-old, the job is fun, especially since she also gets the rare opportunity to see officials, ministers, artists, and athletes from various provinces.
As a native Papuan, Ansanay and other volunteers have only one hope: That the competition venues are maintained properly so that Papua can host other sports events in the future.
Ansanay and Ayomi do not mind the complaints, although often the problem is not their responsibility, but that of the organizers.
Surely, it is tiring, but Ansanay, Ayomi, and other fellow volunteers are determined to work hard and give their best. Because after all, their hands are the ones driving the success of PON in Papua, which ends on October 15, 2021.
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Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
