PON 2028 To Be Held In NTT And NTB, Focus On Sustainability

Indonesian Menpora Dito Ariotedjo (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The XXI Aceh National Sports Week (PON)-North Sumatra has been closed on Friday, September 20. The Minister of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Indonesia (Menpora RI) Dito Ariotedjo said that the 2028 PON will be held in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) and West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) with a focus on sustainability.

"The next PON we will focus on sustainability," said Dito when met after attending the closing of the XXI Aceh-North Sumatra PON at the North Sumatra Main Stadium in Deli Serdang, quoted from ANTARA.

PON 2024 will officially close at the Main Stadium of North Sumatra (North Sumatra) and in the next four years, the biggest sporting event in Indonesia will be held in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) and East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

He said that the implementation of PON in NTB and NTT is expected to explore the potential of existing regions. This is important so that each location can display its uniqueness and superiority in sports.

"Certainly we will see the potential of the area there and what is certain is that our next PON will focus on sustainability," he said.

According to him, this shows a commitment not only to celebrate, but also to develop the region. Sustainability is the main aspect in the implementation of the upcoming PON.

"Don't let the PON leave something that can't be used, the most important thing is sustainability," he said.

Furthermore, Dito explained that his party had previously held a meeting with the General Chairperson of KONI NTT and NTB. From the results of the evaluation meeting, there will be a new format or mechanism in the future.

Even so, he did not explain in detail the form of the planned new format and mechanism.

"Earlier, before the afternoon event, we had a meeting with the Ketum KONI NTT and NTB, we have an evaluation and later there will be a new format and a new mechanism for preparing the next PON," said Dito.

PON XXI Aceh-North Sumatra will be held on September 8-20, 2024. A total of 65 sports are competed in events in the two regions, which are filled from traditional to modern sports.

The PON was closed by the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (PMK) Muhadjir Effendy who represented President Joko Widodo.

"I represent the Government of the Republic of Indonesia with this PON XXI in 2024, I hereby declare it closed," said the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture closing the quadrennial event.