South Sulawesi Determined To Sweep Clean Gold Medal For Martial Arts

South Sulawesi KONI chairman Ellong Tjandra at a meeting of South Sulawesi KONI members in Makassar (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI) of South Sulawesi Province, Ellong Tjandra, stated that his contingent is aiming for a gold medal in the individual events of all martial arts sports that the province will participate in in the 20th National Sports Week (PON) in Papua on October 2-15. 2021.

"We remain optimistic. Our target is to win in the individual sports branches of judo, karate, kempo, muaythai and other martial arts," Ellong told reporters in Makassar, Friday reported by Antara.

Ellong also stated that South Sulawesi was aiming for the top 10 medal standings for the Papua PON, especially in the previous PON in West Java in 2016, the province was ranked seventh in the medal list.

He considered that the nuances of PON XX this time were unique because it was held in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, but he was optimistic that South Sulawesi could wipe out the gold medal in the martial arts branch.

Although the current conditions are uncertain, the spirit of the athletes is still well maintained and ready to win in order to make this province proud.

He also revealed that the team's preparation was very good. "But when it comes to the bonus, the regional government, the provincial government, will think about it, given by the provincial leader," he continued.

"Because of that, the provincial government has given the prestige and authority to athletes. How much? It's not my capacity to speak, I'm afraid I'm wrong," said Ellong.

Ellong added that although this PON was held in a pandemic atmosphere, South Sulawesi and the regions were forced to be prepared.

Head of South Sulawesi Dispora Arwin Azis said the contingent would get convenience when leaving the airport. Teams from other branches have already been dispatched to Papua.

The South Sulawesi contingent has a command post at the Ministry of Social Education and Training Center Building, Abepura, Papua.