Firm! PON Papua Participants Who Violate Prokes Will Be Sanctioned

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Central National Sports Committee (KONI) Lt. Gen. TNI (Purn.) Marciano Norman confirmed that there will be sanctions for participants of the XX Papua National Sports Week (PON) who violate the rules, including those related to health protocols (prokes).

Marciano emphasized that there is zero tolerance for anyone who violates the rules that apply to the organization of the biggest sporting event in the country.

"I emphasize to all participants to obey the prokes. If you violate sanctions such as in the Tokyo Olympics, that can also be done," said Marciano Norman in the event entitled "Preparation for the Implementation of the Covid-19 PON XX Papua Health Program, Reflecting on the Tokyo Olympics", which rolling virtually, Wednesday.

Marciano gave full attention to the implementation of the prokes because it is said to be one of the important factors in the success of the Papua PON. For this reason, Marciano asked all contingents to comply with all the rules applied in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On the same occasion, the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia (Indonesian Ambassador) to Japan Heri Akhmadi said that PON Papua must reflect on the Tokyo 2020 Olympics which was successfully rolled out despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to him, the key to the success of the biggest sporting event in the world is the implementation of strict procedures. Although thousands of participants attended, only 30 cases of COVID-19 were exposed.

The potential for exposure to COVID-19 at PON Papua, said Heri Akhmadi, will also exist. However, it depends on the handling. "The point is that even if there are cases, they must be dealt with quickly," he said.

"Effective discipline is a sanction. For contingents who violate there will be repatriation and disqualification. If not, there will tend to be violations," he added.