PON Jembatan Persatuan Dan Equitasi Pembangunan

Photo: Doc. FMB9

JAKARTA - The XXI 2024 National Sports Week (PON) in Aceh-North Sumatra that will come is not only a sporting competition, but also plays an important catalyst in strengthening national unity and integrity. This national sporting event is also an event to encourage equitable sports development in various regions in Indonesia.

Deputy for Sports Achievement Improvement of the Ministry of Youth and Sports (Kemenpora), Surono said, history has proven that sport has the power to unite humans, beyond ethnic, religious and racial boundaries.

"In the past, we saw how during the Olympics, the war stopped. At the time PON was in Papua yesterday, although it was colored by concerns about potential conflicts, none of the violent events existed during the implementation," he said at the Dialogue of the Merdeka Barat 9 Forum (FMB9) which raised the theme 'PON XXI Aceh-North Sumatra 2024: Momentum of Unity in Progress', Monday 29 July.

He emphasized that PON as the biggest sporting event in Indonesia has repeatedly shown its important role in strengthening the bonds of brotherhood between citizens. The high spirit of sportsmanship shown by athletes from various regions is a real example of how sports can become the glue of the nation.

Apart from being a unity event, PON is also a catalyst in encouraging equitable development in the regions. By hosting PON, an area will be encouraged to improve the quality of sports facilities, infrastructure, and human resources. "PON XXI Aceh-North Sumatra is not just a sporting competition, but also a big project involving various sectors, ranging from the central and regional governments, sports federations, to the wider community," he explained.

Moreover, Surono continued, PON XXI 2024 marks a new milestone in organizing the biggest sporting event in Indonesia. Where for the first time, two provinces, Aceh and North Sumatra, jointly hosted.

According to him, this decision not only reflects the spirit of national unity and integrity, but is also an innovation in national sports governance.

By involving two provinces at once, this PON presents a number of unique challenges but also opens up great opportunities to accelerate the development of national sports.

"The decision to hold PON in two provinces is at the same time an effort to accelerate the development of sports in the regions, increase equity, and strengthen national unity and integrity," he said.

Deputy Secretary General of the Central Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI), Brigadier General TNI Retired Ahmad Saefudin explained that the implementation of PON in two provinces at once, as happened in Aceh and North Sumatra, had a positive impact in accelerating development.

"By dividing the burden of implementation, the two provinces can support each other in providing infrastructure, venues, and other facilities," he said.

The implementation of PON in two provinces allows for more equitable and balanced athlete development. By involving more areas, the potential of athletes from various regions can be raised.

According to him, the implementation of PON in two provinces is not only about competition, but also the sustainability of sports coaching in the regions. This is important considering that the preparation of athletes for international competition takes a long time, starting from coaching from an early age.

"With a focus on leading sports, it is hoped that there will be continuity in athlete development after the PON ends. Commitment from regional leaders and support from the central government is the key to the success of organizing PON," he explained.

Chairman of the XXI PON North Sumatra Grand Committee (PB) as well as Acting Governor of North Sumatra, Agus Fatoni added, PON XXI is a big momentum for North Sumatra's economic development and growth.

Not only that, PON XXI is expected to attract many visitors from various regions in Indonesia, even abroad. The increase in the number of tourists will boost regional economic growth, create new jobs, and introduce the tourism potential of North Sumatra to the world.

"PON is also a big opportunity for the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in North Sumatra. In addition to profiting from increasing demand, PON can also be a promotional event for local MSME products, thereby increasing their competitiveness in a wider market," concluded Agus.