PB PON 2024 Disburses Consumption Problems To Vendors And Volunteers

Illustration of PON 2024 consumption in Aceh (doc. PB PON).

JAKARTA The problem of consumption is in the spotlight at the XXI Aceh National Sports Week (PON)-North Sumatra 2024.

The consumption issue is considered the most complicated compared to the issue of the 2024 PON venue. The three main problems are the findings of stale meals, distribution delays, and menus that are not in accordance with the standards.

Head of the Consumption Division of the PON Grand Committee (PB PON), Dedi Jaminsyah Putra, claimed that they managed to identify several things that were the cause of consumption problems and had taken mitigation steps.

He said the consumption problem that occurred was the fault of the vendor who had already entered into a PB PON contract. Not only that, butvolunteer alias volunteers were also dragged into the problem.

"The issue of stale food, we have made strong warnings, warning letters, and firm letters in conjunction with termination of the contract (to the vendor) if there is another negligence," Dedi said in a press conference on Saturday, September 14, 2024.

In addition to giving a warning, Dedi further said that PB PON carried out direct inspections of the kitchen of vendors providing food and drinks with experts. This step is to ensure that all available meals must comply with standards.

They also reminded that in distribution, vendors are required to anticipate various possibilities as much as possible, such as weather and congestion so that food can arrive on time.

All volunteers in the field are also given a warning not to be late in coming to the field so that the food that is already available can be immediately distributed.

"They are the person in charge of eating in the field. Sometimes the food has arrived, they have not arrived. In fact, they have an honorarium of IDR 150 per day," he said.

Another important thing that is noted is that officers in the field also need to have actual data regarding how much food is distributed by athletes, officials, and others so that they can get an even share.

Dedi requested that all those on duty in the field should not be careless and negligent in collecting data on the number of orders that were recorded so that everything could go well.

"Then the number of orders that are not fixed from each field and the organizing committee. So, the numbers are not fixed. The solution is that we communicate actively with each sport and implementing committee to anticipate the shortage of food distribution," said Dedi.

Previously, Menpora Dito Ariotedjo also immediately intervened to overcome consumption problems. In fact, the implementation of the 2024 PON is the responsibility of KONI, Regional Government, and PB PON.

He emphasized in a joint budget meeting with Commission X DPR RI on September 12, 2024, that consumption problems had been evaluated and resolved.

"At this time I can confirm that the opening of Monday (9 September 2024), Sunday night we evaluated and made sure everything changed in Aceh. In North Sumatra there have been no reports of consumption problems because on average in Aceh the problem."

"Regarding the issue of organizing the 2024 PON, as is known, PON is the full responsibility of KONI and the host area."

"The host is the General Chairperson of PB PON. Because this is the tusi (task and function) of the sport, I as the Minister of Youth and Sports are responsible for fostering sports, leading to being in charge. I don't want to blame the region or the center."

"The day before the opening, I evaluated. There were problems, especially consumption. The day before the opening, there were matches that were held a few days earlier."

"This is our note. When we went there, checked directly, the food was not feasible and did not match. We checked, it turned out to be the responsibility of the region."

"Aceh immediately responded quickly that night, from the Governor, KONI, to PB PON to the evaluation meeting," said Dito Ariotedjo last week.

In contrast to the statement by the Head of the Consumption Division of the PON Grand Committee, Dedi Jaminsyah Putra, Dito said that the 2024 PON consumption problem in Aceh had never been thought of by the host before.

The reason is, Aceh is very thick with local culture that stops working at certain hours, especially during the Maghrib call to prayer.

Therefore, Dito emphasized that PB PON 2024 must understand this culture and find solutions so that consumption problems do not repeat themselves.

"Small things immediately change their services. I convey to the public that is quite restless, if there are reports or complaints from the public, supporters, athletes, or officials, they can go directly to me or the Ministry of Youth and Sports. We will follow up."

"Reality in the field, the provision of fewer food stalls or kitchens in Aceh. Working hours in Aceh are different from people in other areas."

"Every call to prayer must stop (working), especially maghrib. From there, there were complaints related to the delivery schedule (consumption)."

"However, culture and needs must find a solution. Food is relatively problematic in Aceh," said Dito again.

PON Aceh-Sumut 2024 has been going on since September 9, 2024 and will end on September 20, 2024. This year's event was attended by around 5,636 athletes and 2,752 officials.

The athletes competed in 33 sports with 42 disciplines and 510 match numbers. Currently, DKI Jakarta is still at the top of the medal standings.