Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Home Affairs Ministry has asked the provincial governments of Aceh and North Sumatra to coordinate with each other to make the 2024 21st National Sports Week (PON) a success.

Acting director general of regional finance at the ministry, Horas Maurits Panjaitan, said here on Friday that the two regional governments have a strategic role in holding the 21st PON, which will take place in 2024.

"This activity is a follow-up to the previous meeting on October 10 (2023) with the Minister of Youth and Sports. We are here to see the budget efficiency both in terms of preparation and implementation costs," Panjaitan said.

He emphasized that the preparation for the 21st PON in Aceh and North Sumatra must run optimally.

One of the strategies to achieve that would be to equalize perception and strengthen coordination between institutions, especially in anticipating technical problems ahead of PON, he said.

"We focus on accommodation, equipment, transportation, and consumption. We conveyed an alternative where the regions (Aceh and North Sumatra) will fund 50 percent of the consumption and transportation costs," he informed.

In addition, he stressed that all sports and supporting facilities must be ready soon because the 21st National Sports Week is drawing close.

He said that a number of points were agreed at the meeting, including the need to make a detailed and transparent activity plan that is easier to rationalize.

According to Panjaitan, it is necessary for each PON Grand Committee in North Sumatra and Aceh to carry out budget efficiency.

Furthermore, a follow-up meeting involving several stakeholders, including the government’s Development Finance Comptroller (BPKP) and provincial representatives, will be held in order to evaluate the budget details.

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Translator: Narda S, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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