It is in line with the motto of ‘Torang Bisa’.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - At the closing ceremony of the XX Papua National Sports Week (PON) on Friday, Vice President Ma'ruf Amin noted three points that made the implementation of the event challenging.

"There were several things that made XX Papua PON not easy to be held," he remarked at the Lukas Enembe Stadium, Jayapura district.

First, the national sports event required massive infrastructure development of international standards and quality, he said.

"Secondly, the venues were located in several regions, ranging from Jayapura city and district, Mimika district, to Merauke district. The distance between one venue and another is the farthest ever in PON implementation to date," he added.

Related news: VP Amin attends XX Papua PON closing ceremony

Meanwhile, the third challenge – and also the biggest one -- was the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, he said. The XX Papua PON involved contingents from 34 provinces across Indonesia, the Vice President noted.

"The XX Papua PON was held in the midst of the pandemic. Thus, it required extra works with the implementation of strict health protocols," he said.

He then lauded the Papuan people and provincial government for successfully implementing the XX Papua PON despite the challenges.

"I consider that XX Papua PON became the most difficult PON that had been implemented to date. However, it turns out that Papuan people are not only able to hold it, but they also managed to organize it perfectly. It is in line with the motto of ‘Torang Bisa’ (means ‘We Can’)," he emphasized.

The end of the national sports event was marked by the lowering of the PON flag.

Papua Governor Lukas Enembe handed the flag to North Sumatra Governor Edy Rahmayadi and Aceh provincial secretary, Nova Iriansyah, who represented the Aceh Governor, as the North Sumatra and Aceh provinces will be the joint hosts of the XXI PON.
Related news: Successful PON result of dedication of sports communities: KONI

Translator: Fransiska Ninditya, Uyu Liman
Editor: Suharto
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