Pramono Says Jakarta is Capable of Being a Buffer for PON 2028, Venue to Transportation is Ready 

DOK Humas DKI Provincial Government

JAKARTA - The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government (Pemprov) stated that it was ready to become a buffer for the implementation of the XXII National Sports Week (PON) in 2028 which will be held in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) and West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).

DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung emphasized that Jakarta's support is not only limited to providing sports venues, but also includes transportation and accommodation if needed to support the smooth implementation of the national sports festival.

The commitment was conveyed by Pramono after attending a coordination meeting with the Minister of Youth and Sports Erick Thohir and the Governor of NTT Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena and the Governor of NTB Lalu Muhamad Iqbal in Jakarta, Tuesday, June 23.

Pramono reminded that the implementation of the PON requires careful preparation so that it does not cause problems during implementation.

"Based on past experience, if this PON is not well prepared, then let's not do what the President's instructions cannot be implemented," said Pramono, Tuesday, June 23.

Although ready to support, Pramono emphasized that Jakarta would not interfere with the authority of the central and local governments regarding the determination of sports branches and the location of matches.

"The implementation is entirely the authority of the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Both what and how the competition is, including the determination of the location of the match whether in NTT, in NTB, and so on, we do not interfere. However, as a support system, Jakarta is ready to provide support," said Pramono.

According to Pramono, Jakarta has enough sports infrastructure capital to support the needs of the PON. In addition to dozens of central government venues, most of which are located in the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) area, the DKI Provincial Government also manages hundreds of sports facilities spread across five city areas.

"In fact, there are new private venues that can be used for various sports such as volleyball, basketball, and tennis. So in principle, Jakarta is ready to provide full support," he said.

In addition to sports facilities, the DKI Provincial Government has also prepared support from the transportation connectivity side. A number of mass transportation projects that are underway are considered to strengthen the mobility of athletes, officials, and contingents if part of the PON agenda is held in Jakarta.

"For transportation, whether it's MRT, LRT, Transjabodetabek, TransJakarta, JakLingko, and so on, Jakarta is ready to fully support. For accommodation, Jakarta is ready. If there are activities held in Jakarta, it will certainly facilitate the mobility of contingents from various regions because access to flights to Jakarta is easier," explained Pramono.

Meanwhile, Minister of Youth and Sports Erick Thohir said the coordination meeting was the first step to unite the perceptions of the central and regional governments in preparing for the XXII PON.

According to Erick, the government wants to ensure that the PON is not only successful as a sports event, but also supports the development of national athletes' achievements sustainably.

"This is a historic meeting because for the first time the central government and the local government have consolidated and exposed all the preparations and issues that must be overcome early. We ask that the 21 priority sports branches in accordance with the latest DBON must be competed. We must re-map the achievements of Indonesian sports towards the SEA Games, Asian Games, and the Olympics in a sustainable manner," said Erick.

Erick also emphasized that the 2028 PON would follow the direction of the President of the Republic of Indonesia to optimize the existing sports facilities without building new venues.

"The President's message is clear, there is no new venue development. What is done is the improvement and optimization of existing venues so that the budget remains efficient. Cross-agency and cross-agency coordination will continue to be strengthened so that the 2028 XXII PON can be held successfully," he added.