The First PON Contingent Arrives At Sentani Airport, Welcomed Specially With Papuan Dances

PAPUA - The first group of the Papua National Sports Week (PON) contingent arrived at Sentani Airport this morning at around 7.30 WIB. The group received a special welcome from the organizing committee.

The first official contingents to arrive were the provinces of DKI Jakarta, Central Kalimantan, Bali, Lampung, West Papua, Banten and West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).

“Yesterday, we carried out a pick-up simulation. Then today we do. Those present at Sentani Silas Papare Airport were picked up by representatives from the event committee. Then they headed to the vehicle and went straight to the reception area in the parking lot of Barnabas Youwe Stadium,” said Chairman of the PON XX Panwasrah, Major General TNI (Ret.) Dr. Suwarno, Antara, Papua, Sunday, September 19.

The best service from the host was shown since the contingent arrived. The participants of PON XX from all provinces get specialties since they set foot on the land of Papua.

In order to avoid crowds and streamline activities, arriving contingents do not need to queue for eHac validation and pick up items from baggage at the airport. eHac validation is done at the point of reception, as well as contingent luggage in the trunk.

After getting off the plane, the contingent was greeted by the committee. They took a special line directly to the bus to go to the Barnabas Youwe Stadium which was the reception venue.

Also welcoming the first contingent, the Daily Chair of PB PON XX Yunus Wonda, Head of Division I PB PON XX Yusuf Yambe, Head of the Jayapura Regency Youth and Sports Service who is also Head of Division I (Head of Sub-PB PON XX Cluster Jayapura Regency, Yaan Yoku).

"For the items they carry, the committee handles them, so that arrivals from the airport do not linger at the airport, immediately take a bus and go to Barnabas Youwe Stadium," said Suwarno.

In addition to receiving special services, the official contingent was also greeted with a typical Papuan dance.

"Arriving at Barnabas Youwe, they were greeted with indigenous Papuan arts so they already felt that, 'Oh yes, we have arrived in Papua' as well as continued with the activation of their respective ID cards and checking eHac," explained Suwarno.

Meanwhile, the coach from Southeast Sulawesi, Juliwahyudin, said he was happy with the special reception.

“We were warmly welcomed by the local community and were given the convenience of traveling. From the airport, we went through a special route because there were escorts from the police, so we took that route very quickly to get to the hotel,” said Juliwahyudin.