I am optimistic sports activities will return in 2022 because we have started them in 2021 and (in)  2022 (we) only have to continue them.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Youth and Sports Minister Zainudin Amali, in a statement released on his ministry's website on Monday, said he is optimistic that sports activities will recover in 2022 despite the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.

This hope is based on the number of sports championships rolled out one by one in 2021, he added.

Activities held this year could serve as a benchmark for holding sports events with health protocols, the minister said.

There were several domestic sports events that were held this year after being delayed or canceled in 2020, he added.

The competitions that triggered the revival of national sports events amid the pandemic were the pre-season football tournament Menpora Championship, followed by the Indonesian Basketball League (IBL), Amali said.

There were also League 1, League 2, Papua National Sports Week (PON), and National Paralympics Week (Peparnas), he added.

"From this journey, I see that we can start feeling confident again in holding activities, even though it has to be done with very stringent health protocols," Amali noted.

"I am optimistic sports activities will return in 2022 because we have started them in 2021 and (in) 2022 (we) only have to continue them," he added.

He also urged other sports branches to immediately formulate plans and continue to hold activities and championships in 2022.

"For sports branches that have not yet made their move, we will ask them to promptly do so and follow other sports branches that have bravely tried to hold activities," he remarked.

"Even though it has to be done with very stringent health protocols," he added.

Related news: Jakarta postpones sports activities to stem Omicron transmission

Several events are slated to enliven the national sports scene in 2022. After a successful run in 2021 using the bubble system, IBL will return on January 15, 2022, here.

With Proliga set to return after almost two years, Indonesian volleyball fans will also have something to look forward to in the new year.

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Translator: Shofi Ayudiana, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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