The National Sports Week XX Is Expected To Trigger The Development Of Sports Tourism In Papua

Illustration - Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno (right) dances with a number of residents in Yoboi Village, Sentani, Lake Sentani area, Jayapura Regency (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The general chairman of the Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI) Central Lt. Gen. (Purn), Marciano Norman, hopes that the XX Papua National Sports Week (PON) can play a role in the development of sports tourism in Bumi Cenderawasih.

Marciano, as quoted from Antara on Monday, said that in general Papua Province has great potential for the development of sport tourism in the country, and he hopes that the momentum of PON XX will be used to further explore and develop this potential.

"This Papuan PON can support sports tourism, especially as Lake Sentani has great potential," said Marciano after the Lake Sentani Tour with the Foi Moi Tourism Ship owned by the Jayapura Regency Government.

He added that PON Papua will also provide benefits for economic development and welfare in Papua.

On that occasion, Marciano expressed his gratitude to the regional heads in Papua so that the PON preparations could run well.

Meanwhile, Jayapura Regent Mathius Awoitauw said his party would develop the potential for sports tourism in the Lake Sentani area.

According to Mathius, the area has natural beauty so it is suitable for the development of sports tourism.

"We will organize the Lake Sentani area so that sports tourism can be maximized," he said.

Mathius said that the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Menparekraf) Sandiaga Uno has also provided support for tourism development, including sport tourism.

Previously, the Menparekraf Sandiaga Uno visited Yoboi Village in Sentani, Monday, September 21, which is one of the best tourist villages out of 50 villages in Indonesia.