Category: Sports

Secretary to the Minister of Youth and Sports Gatot S. Dewa Broto has asked athletes participating in the PON XX National Games in Papua to abide by the arrival and departure times arranged by officials.

It is mandatory for provincial delegates to arrive in Papua three days before their match date and depart a maximum of three days after the conclusion of the match, he said, adding that the measure is meant to prevent COVID-19 infection among athletes.

“Therefore, athletes are no longer allowed to stay longer just to wait for fellow athletes completing their match,” Broto said during a discussion on health protocols for the PON XX in Papua and the 2021 World Superbike event in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara Province, on Thursday.

Officials will also require athletes to undergo a COVID-19 PCR test at departure and arrival, he added.

The ministry intends to imitate the same health protocol regime that was implemented during the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo at the PON XX National Games, Broto said.

“But due to budget constraints and other factors, we cannot completely imitate the health protocols implemented during the 2020 Olympics at the PON Games,” he noted.

Besides regulating provincial delegates’ arrival and departure times, PON officials will limit the number of spectators to 25 percent of a sporting venue’s total capacity, he said.

“We agree to bar the match spectators to a maximum of 25 percent from the total capacity, and the 25 percent already includes the athletes and officials, health workers, match committees, media crews, and other relevant officials,” Broto informed.

The ministry and stakeholders will collaborate to ensure the smooth conduct of the PON XX National Games, he added.

Officials will also conduct evaluations at several competitions that will be held this week before the PON Games officially open on October 2, 2021, he informed.

Source: Antara News

KSurfer athlete Ryuki Waida has said he is determined to win the surfing exhibition at Papua’s National Games PON XX, which will take place from September 22 to 23, 2021.

“My target is that I win in this event,” Waida told ANTARA via text message from Jayapura city, Papua on Wednesday.

This is the first time that a surfing exhibition is taking place as part of the National Games. According to Waida, it is a good move considering that surfing has been contested in the Olympics and SEA Games.

“And as we know, a new sports branch can be officially competed in PON if it has been exhibited previously in PON,” he said.

He said he and his colleagues will work hard to give the best performance in the Papua PON. The exhibition will make surfing an official sport discipline later at the Aceh PON in 2024, he added.

Furthermore, he said that as the younger brother of surfing athlete Rio Waida, he felt joining the PON was important for the development of the sport in each province.

He said the inclusion of the sports branch in PON would help surfing get the attention of the provincial National Sports Committees (KONI).

“Hopefully, the development of surfing in every province that has waves will grow rapidly,” the 19-year-old surfer said.

The Papua PON XX surfing exhibition was supposed to take place at Hamadi Beach, Jayapura city on Wednesday and Thursday. However, the match location has now been shifted to Skouw Beach, which is located 21 km from the city center.

“(Skouw Beach) is our second option, because the waves at Hamadi are very small,” secretary general of the Indonesian Surfing Association Management (PB PSOI), Tipi Jabrik, said.

The surfing exhibition at Papua PON XX will be competed in two disciplines— shortboard or men’s shortboard and aerial surf.

A total of 33 surfer athletes—18 in the men’s shortboard and 15 in the aerial category— will participate in the event.

Source: Antara News

Jakarta Two opening matches between Indonesia and Barbados in the first round of the 2021 Davis Cup Group II World ended in a draw at the St. Michael National Tennis Centre, Friday or Saturday local time.

The men’s singles match was held on the first day. Indonesia was left behind 0-1, as Gunawan Trismuwantara was defeated by Barbados top tennis player Darian King, 1-6,1-6.

Meanwhile, on the second day, Justin Barki was successfully held to a 1-1 draw after defeating host representative, Kaipo Marshall 6-2, 6-4.

“We laud Justin’s performance, who was able to meet the target of the Indonesian team to hold a draw to host in the first day,” Indonesian team captain Febi Widhiyanto stated in a press statement on Saturday.

Source: ANTARA News

Indri Sukmaningsih realizes that she is no longer young, being born on July 24, 1990, yet the fire in her stays ablaze as she is set to earn gold medal in the coming Papua National Sports Week (PON).

She was fully immersed in her training upon being visited by ANTARA’s team in Jambi’s Tri Lomba Juang KONI Stadion on Tuesday.

Sukmaningsih (31) absorbed everything, from physical to tactical training, taught by her two coaches known as Ardiman, and Widodo. She sacrificed almost three hours training, in the morning and evening, to achieve the gold medal in Papua National Sports Week XX 2021.

“I am fully aware that (I am) no longer young and (I) have a son. But to achieve that dream, hard work is needed. And I am ready in the coming National Sports Week,” she said.

Sukmaningsih wishes for prayers and support from the family, friends, and Jambi residents, so all her effort would bear a sweet fruit in form of gold medal.

Source: ANTARA News

Siak Wawan and Anggit, two of the three roller skating athletes from Siak District, Riau, are ready to secure gold medals in the XX National Games (PON) in Papua scheduled to commence from Oct 2.

The three athletes are Tengku Wahyu Gunawan (Wawan), Tengku Anggito Wicaksono (Anggit) from Siak, and Jovi Julianto from Tualang. Interestingly, Wawan and Anggit are brothers competing in the roller skating branch.

“It is true that we are brothers. I am the older brother and Anggit is my younger brother. We are targeting to win the medal even though our opponents are tough,” Wawan noted on Saturday.

He expressed pride and happiness to be the representatives of Siak District to represent Riau Province while competing at the national level.

“We are focusing on training, as there is no venue in Labersa, and it is only available in Siak. Hence, we practice here with our coach. Usually, we go down at every event under PT Bumi Siak Pusako,” he remarked.

He also sought prayers and support of the people of Siak and Riau while competing in the Papua PON.

In addition, Wawan lauded the head of the Indonesian Roller Skating Association in Siak District, Arfan Usman, and the Siak National Sports Committee (KONI) management for having placed their trust on him to represent Riau.

These three roller skate athletes from Siak have delivered several achievements at the national level.

Tengku Wahyu Gunawan stood first in the 300m sprint competition in the 2017 North Sumatra Governor’s Cup event, first in the 5,000m men’s competition in the 2017 North Sumatra Governor’s Cup, second place in the 500m sprint competition in the West Sumatra Pariaman Mayor’s Cup, second place in the 10,000m men’s event of the 2019 Siak District Cup Championship.

Meanwhile, Tengku Anggito Wicaksono came first in the 1,000m sprint event in the 2019 Siak District Cup Championship while stood third in the men’s 300m Individual Time Trial Sprint in the Papua PON in Bekasi, West Java, 2019.

Meanwhile, Jovi Juliardo, an athlete from Tualang, Siak District, has won several events, such as coming first in the 10,000m competition of the 2015 West Java Open National Championship, finishing second in the 300m sprint in the Solo Mayor’s Cup 2016 National Championship, securing a second place in the 200m sprint event in the Pariaman Mayor’s Cup competition in 2019, and standing second in the 10,000m competition at the 2019 Siak National Championship.

Source: ANTARA News

Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) disbursed bonuses at the Bogor Presidential Palace on Friday as a mark of appreciation for the achievements of the athletes and coaches that participated in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.

“Some Rp5.5 billion will be rewarded to the gold medalists, Rp2.5 billion to silver medalists, and Rp1.5 billion to the bronze medalists. In addition, some bonuses will be given to the non-medal winners and the coaches, though I will not tell the amount – let our youth and sports minister announce it,” he stated.

On the occasion, the president was accompanied by State Secretary Minister Pratikno, Youth and Sports Minister Zainuddin Amali, Chairman of the Indonesian National Paralympic Committee Senny Marbun, Indonesian Chef de Mission at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics Andi Herman, as well as other related officials.

Some 23 athletes from Indonesia bagged nine medals at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics in seven sports disciplines.

“I and all the Indonesian people welcome your homecoming with pleasure, joy, and pride. I express my highest appreciation for your struggle and hard work that have resulted in the achievements and made the nation proud,” the president affirmed.

Jokowi believes the medals achievement at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics was a milestone.

“Thank you for the gold medals pocketed at the badminton sports — not just one, but two gold medals. They are milestones. You have proved that you are able to compete at the global level. Thus, congratulations to all champions, who have won either gold, silver, or bronze medals,” he noted.

Furthermore, President Jokowi expressed optimism that the athletes’ achievement at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics would become a source of inspiration for all Indonesian people.

“Thus, it can be a source of motivation for all of us — both athletes and Indonesian people — to continue to work hard to garner success and give the best to the nation,” he stated.

In addition, Jokowi reminded athletes to prepare for the 2024 Paris Paralympics.

“Do not forget to prepare yourself. Remember that the 2024 Paris Paralympic is just three years away. We hope to win more medals and clock higher achievements at the event,” he affirmed.

In the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, Indonesia was ranked 43rd, with nine medals.

The Indonesian contingent bagged one gold medal in the women’s doubles badminton by Leani Ratri Oktila and Khalimatus Sadiyah, one gold medal in the mixed doubles badminton event by Leani Ratri Oktila and Hary Susanto, as well as one silver medal in the women’s singles badminton by Leani Ratri Oktila.

In addition, a silver medal was won by Dheva Anrimushti in the men’s singles badminton event, a silver medal in the women’s weightlifting by Ni Nengah Widiasih, a bronze medal in the men’s athletics by Saptoyogo Purnomo, a bronze medal in the men’s singles table tennis event by David Jacobs, as well as two bronze medals in the men’s singles badminton event by Suryo Nugroho and Fredy Setiawan.

Meanwhile, the non-medal winners will be rewarded Rp100 million.

Source: Antara News

General Chairman of the Indonesian Sports Committee (KONI) Lt. Gen. (ret.) Marciano Norman affirmed that preparations for the XX National Sports Week (PON), scheduled in Papua next October, had generally reached 95-percent completion.

All matters pertaining to the implementation of PON had gone in accordance with the plan, Norman remarked here on Monday during an online discussion titled “The PON XX Papua, Building Nationalism and Togetherness.”

The completed preparations include the arena for sports competitions, the match equipment, the contingents headed for Papua, and their accommodation there.

He expressed gratitude for the participation and assistance of every shareholder comprising the central government, especially the Health Ministry, the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI), and the Indonesian Police.

The TNI and Police officers have especially facilitated implementation of the vaccination drive for the people of Papua. The vaccination is deemed crucial, as the sports event will be organized amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Norman also expressed optimism that through optimal preparations, implementation of the biggest sporting event in the country can be conducted smoothly.

“Thus, the Papuan PON will become our pride, as it is the revival of the Indonesian nation amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Papuan PON also shows that we are united because of sports,” he remarked.

Sports foster the spirit of nationalism and patriotism. Hence, the PON Papua event is very important, he affirmed.

Norman remarked that 33 contingents from the country’s 33 provinces will participate in the PON.

He is upbeat that the upcoming PON will give rise to new athletes capable of competing in international sports games, such as the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“Through the National Sports Grand Design (DBON) until the 2032, we expect to rank among the world’s top 10,” Norman affirmed.

Source: Antara News

The XX Papua National Sports Week Organizing Committee (PB PON) has said that the security for athletes, participants, and staff will be maintained at the highest level.

The statement was delivered by the Head of Division II of the committee Roy Letlora, during a press conference here on Saturday.

“There is no more doubt, because the convening of XX Papua National Sports Week (PON) will not be delayed anymore. Even the President will certainly open it on October 2. All parties are committed to maintaining the security of the event,” he said.

PB PON Papua, along with the joint security unit from the national military and police, has coordinated to provide protection for guests from outside Papua.

In addition to deploying more than 9,000 security personnel in four clusters, the committee has also prepared a special room equipped with sophisticated equipment to monitor the situation at the venues.

Persuasive attempts – such as having open discussion and recruiting the event’s volunteers from the local residents — have been also carried out by the committee to reduce potential conflict from the areas around the venues.

“In the recruitment process, we also carried out background checks involving the State Intelligence Agency and the police. From around 17,000 volunteer candidates, about 70 of them did not pass the screening. It shows that the security level of the event has been quite good,” Letlora continued.

Furthermore, he emphasized that the security aspect is vital in the national multi-sports event held every four years, since it also aims to maintain the dignity of the country.

Although it is a national level event, some 16 foreign delegates from the Asia Pacific region will also attend so they might observe how Indonesia conducts the event.

“The convening of PON this time is not only measured by how successful the sports agenda is, but also to show that our situation is really safe. Papua, as part of Indonesia, can also hold a huge event like this,” the division head added.

Source: Antara News