President Jokowi Will Open PON XXI Aceh-North Sumatra 2024

President Jokowi and Mrs. Iriana when they left from Samarinda to Aceh (doc. President of the Republic of Indonesia).

JAKARTA - Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora), Dito Ariotedjo, ensured that all preparations for the opening and organizing of the XXI Aceh-North Sumatra National Sports Week (PON) 2024 went according to plan.

This was revealed by Menpora Dito after performing the final rehearsal before the opening at the Harapan Bangsa Stadium, Banda Aceh, Sunday, September 8, 2024, WIB night.

"We are conducting a final rehearsal to ensure the readiness of the opening ceremony which will be attended and opened by President Joko Widodo. Preparations are running smoothly, all according to the target," said Menpora Dito.

The Harapan Bangsa Stadium, which will witness this grand event, is sure to be ready to welcome thousands of athletes and invited guests from various provinces.

The Minister of Youth and Sports emphasized that until now there have been no significant obstacles in preparation, both in terms of technical and logistics.

"All preparations have reached the final stage, even some sports competitions have begun," he said.

Chairman of the Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI), Marciano Norman, also emphasized that there are no more obstacles and obstacles to holding opening and matches.

"The venue's readiness is 100 percent. The organizing committee is ready and all match equipment is complete. Both in Aceh and North Sumatra, we are optimistic that the implementation of the XXI PON will be successful," said Marciano.

PON XXI, which will be held officially on September 9-20, 2024, will involve nearly 13,000 athletes from all over Indonesia. The opening ceremony will take place on Monday, September 9, 2024, WIB night.

Meanwhile, President Joko Widodo and Mrs. Iriana Joko Widodo have left for Aceh Province, on Monday, September 9, 2024. The Indonesia-1 Presidential Aircraft carrying President Jokowi and his entourage took off from Aji Pangeran Tumenggung International Airport, Samarinda City, at around 08.00 WITA.

Upon arrival at Sultan Iskandar Muda International Airport, Aceh Besar District, the President and Mrs. Iriana will go directly to the Baitussalam Toll Gate. There, the President will inaugurate a number of Sigli-Banda Aceh toll roads.

"Furthermore, the President and his entourage will head to H. Dimurthala Stadium, Banda Aceh City, to inaugurate the rehabilitation, renovation, and construction of the XXI National Sports Week (PON) venue in Aceh Province. After the inauguration, the President and Mrs. Iriana will go to the Regional General Hospital (RSUD) dr. Zainoel Abidin, Banda Aceh City, to review his health facilities and services," said Deputy for Protocol, Press and Media of the Presidential Secretariat, Yusuf Permana, in an official statement.

At night, the President and Mrs. Iriana are scheduled to attend the inauguration of the 2024 XXI PON Opening which will be held at the Harapan Bangsa Stadium, Banda Aceh City. After that, the President and his entourage will leave for North Sumatra Province to resume their working visit activities.