DPR Believes PON XXI Prints Superior Athletes Who Will Bring RI More Gemilang Di Kancah Dunia

JAKARTA - Member of Commission X DPR RI Andreas Hugo Pareira believes that the implementation of the XXI Aceh-Sumut PON which began to coincide with the 2024 National Sports Day (HAORNAS) can produce superior Indonesian athletes. He also expressed his appreciation for the achievements of Indonesian athletes in the international arena in recent times.

"I believe this XXI PON event can produce new stars in the field of national sports. The achievements of our athletes reflect the high quality and dedication, which must be fully supported by the Government so that they can continue to grow and make the nation proud on the world stage," said Andreas Hugo Pariera, Tuesday 10 September.

Andreas reminded the Government to continue to support athletes by developing talents, training facilities, to improving their welfare and future after their professional careers.

This is important because according to Andreas, many young people are talented in the field of sports who are reluctant to pursue a career as athletes because they are considered not to have a clear future when they retire.

"Athletes that bring Indonesia's good name at the international level are entitled to proper appreciation, both in the form of financial rewards and welfare insurance in retirement from the world of sports," he said.

"Thus, athletes not only feel supported when they are still actively competing, but their future is also protected in line with Law Number 11 of 2022 concerning Sports," Andreas continued.

Meanwhile, the XXI PON, which was held in Aceh and parts of North Sumatra, officially opened yesterday, Monday (9/9), to coincide with the 2024 Haornas commemoration. The national sports party competed in 65 sports involving nearly 13,000 athletes.

To the athletes, Andreas advised to take full advantage of this moment.

"Take advantage of PON as well as possible because PON is a talent search for excellent athletes who will bring Indonesia even more brilliant in world sports competitions," he said.

Still in the moment of the 2024 Haornas commemoration with the theme "Let's Exercise: Unite We Are Champions," Andreas assessed that the quality of Indonesian sports has increased quite rapidly even though there are several things that still need to be addressed.

"Haornas this time is quite special because Indonesia has gained quite a lot of achievements. Including Indonesia's success at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the champion of the AFF U-19 Cup and what has just been successful at the 2024 Paris Paralympics," Andreas said.

Indonesia managed to bring home 14 medals at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, which is a world disabled athlete event. This is the record for the most medals won by the Indonesian team during their participation in the Paralympics.

At the Paris Paralympics, Indonesia was ranked 50th in the final results of the class by successfully bringing home the gold, eight silver and five bronze medals. The Paris 2024 Paralympic single gold medal is presented by the mixed doubles number badminton sport (sports), namely Hikmat Ramdani/Leani Ratri Oktila.

Andreas congratulated the Indonesian contingent for its success at the 2024 Paralympics.

"Not only as a gift to the 2024 Haornas commemoration, the success of the Garuda team at the Paris Paralympics adds to the pride of the Indonesian people for the achievements of Indonesian sports heroes in international events," he said.

Despite Indonesia's sporting achievements in world championships, Andreas hopes that the 2024 Haornas can also be used as a moment of reflection that the world of sports is not only seen as a competition but also as a lifestyle.

Andreas assessed that the sport movement as a lifestyle must continue to be echoed so that the Indonesian people are healthier.

"By making sport as part of a lifestyle, the Indonesian nation will become healthier and stronger, both physically and mentally," said Andreas.

The member of the House of Representatives' sports and education Commission said that a healthy lifestyle is an important asset in facing global challenges in various sectors. Therefore, Andreas asked the Government to improve various adequate facilities for the community to exercise, both in urban and rural areas.

"We ask the Government to build adequate sports facilities throughout Indonesia, such as the GBK area in Jakarta. That way people can do sports without any limitations of facilities or access," said the legislator from the NTT I electoral district.

"Sports must be used as a lifestyle for the Indonesian people because it is important in improving the quality of life, both in terms of physical, mental, and social health," added Andreas.

Andreas also emphasized the importance of health campaigns through sports, which not only involve the education and health sectors, but also other relevant sectors.

"If the direction of government policy is optimal, sport can be an important pillar in improving the quality of life of the Indonesian people as a whole," he explained.

For this reason, the DPR is said to be committed to supporting community sports programs. Of course, this must also be accompanied by community support itself.

"With adequate facilities and support, as well as a commitment to make sports part of a lifestyle, the Indonesian nation can grow into a healthier, stronger, and more competitive nation at the global level," Andreas concluded.