Many Problems At PON 2024, Menpora Asks To Review The Authority To Determine The Host

JAKARTA - PON XXI Aceh-North Sumatra 2024 has drawn attention. A number of problems arise, ranging from inappropriate consumption, unfinished venues, to failure to anticipate extreme weather.

This condition further emphasizes that the PON event which is the responsibility of the host region with the Central KONI still gives birth to flaws.

"PON 2024 there are 65 official sports, and 11 exhibitions. A total of 76 sports, meaning there are 76 venues. It's not that I defend myself, if there are one to five venues, it's not perfect, please understand."

"However, we are responsible and take firm action so that the venue is complete and can be used," said the Minister of Youth and Sports, Dito Ariotedjo, some time ago in a meeting with Commission X DPR RI.

No wonder, the Minister of Youth and Sports asked for a comprehensive evaluation related to the PON event so that it could be accounted for.

So far, the Central Government, in this case the Ministry of Youth and Sports, has difficulty getting involved considering the portion of authority is in the hands of the Central KONI and PB PON. As a result, all forms of intervention when there are obstacles at PON cannot be done immediately.

The problem is, the Central KONI and the host-appointed Regional Government (PB PON) often ignore the implementation of PONs that run well and smoothly.

At the 2024 PON, for example, the issue of corruption has emerged, even before the official opening.

Stall consumption, food that does not comply with standards, venues that are not ready, until the reserve plan overcomes natural factors that trigger the issue.

Therefore, the Minister of Youth and Sports wants the implementation of PON in the future to have a clearer portion of authority so that problems can be minimized.

"We hope that regarding PON there must be a comprehensive evaluation. PON is regulated by law. I think it must carefully discuss in the future so that the portion is more certain and the authority can be more accountable."

"For a small example, in determining the host, the Central Government is not involved. It is an internal process of the Central KONI. This is a bitter reality indeed. I don't want PON to be something unproductive in the future," said the Menpora.

Apart from the matter of implementation, so far, many of the venues used by PON have been neglected after the event.

This means that the Regional Government is neglecting to guarantee PON assets. PON is only like regional prestige and a big project for the construction of sports venues with state money.

This problem is also a concern of the Minister of Youth and Sports who wants sustainability of the PON venue.

"You can see back, how many PON venues can be used properly. East Kalimantan and Riau are very sad.

"South Sumatra is still surviving, but the South Sumatra Government often confides in us."

"West Java is in the category that is quite safe, but not all of them. Well, in the future, Papua must also take concrete action to ensure the sustainability of the PON venue there," said Dito Ariotedjo.

Providing a portion of authority to the Central Government, according to the Menpora, can be a solution to the PON problem that has been under neglect.

"Hopefully the PON in the future will be better. For the next host, it will be better. We will ensure its sustainability projections."

"If there is no potential for sustainability, accept the fact of moving the host's location or reducing sports."

"That's an authority that we don't have. So, we have to sit together, the government, KONI, and the legislature will talk about what the future will be like. Don't let every PON event become a disaster in the future," said Dito Ariotedjo.