The president when pressing the button of the siren marking the official start of the sports competition, was accompanied by Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Andi Mallarangeng and Riau Governor Rusli Zaenal.
"Let`s hope that the 39 sports events contested in the sports week would increase sports achievements," President Yudhoyono said in his address.
He said sports achievements could be made only with hard work. The head of state said that what had been achieved in the recent SEA Games should be maintained and increased.
Yudhoyono also stressed the importance of the PON in measuring the success of the country`s development in the field of sports.
The Sumatran province of is hosting the National Sports Week, which is held once every four years, from September 9 to 20, and the event will see athletes competing in 39 different sporting events for 598 gold medals at stake
Before the official opening, some of the sports event have been contested.
The sports week has begun on September 9 and will last until September 20, 2012. The opening ceremony was held on Tuesday because the President on September was still in his overseas trip. However, the competitions have begun on September 9.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
