Yulius Uwe, The Holder Of The National Decathlon Record, Was Asked To Carry The PON Fire In Timika

Yulius Uwe (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Former national athlete and national record holder of the decathlon Yulius Uwe was entrusted with carrying the fire for the XX Papua PON upon his arrival in Timika after being flown from Biak, Tuesday, September 28 tomorrow to be handed over to Mimika Regent Eltinus Omaleng during the welcoming procession at the Timika State House Hall.

Head of the PB PON XX Ceremony Division, Sub Mimika Handy K Titaley in Timika, Sunday, said the trust given to Yulius Uwe to bring the fire of PON was an appreciation for his dedication in the field of sports, especially in athletics.

The gold medalist of the 1985 SEA Games in Bangkok, the 1987 SEA Games in Jakarta and the 1993 SEA Games in Singapore in the decathlon number is Mimika's native son, who was born in Kokonao Mimika Barat, January 12, 1965.

"He is Mimika's son and has dedicated his life to the advancement of sports, especially athletics," said Handy, who is familiarly called Andre, as reported by Antara.

Besides Yulius, there are three national athletes who are still active, who will carry the PON fire during a carnival around Timika City, Tuesday, October 28.

They consist of Maria Natalia Londa, long jump and triple jump athlete, 2014 Asian Games gold medalist and two 2015 and 2017 SEA Games gold medals.

Furthermore, Muhammad Bima Abdi Negara, bronze medalist at the 2017 SEA Games Kuala Lumpur and Santia Tri Kusuma, a former cyclist who won gold medals in PON XV 2000, PON XVI 2004, SEA Games 2001, and SEA Games 2003.

The Coordinator of the PON Fire Flying Team, Reza R Mutiara, said that upon arrival at Timika Airport, the XX PON fire was then immediately taken to the State House Hall (the office of the Mimika Regent) in the Karang Glad SP3 Village area to be handed over to the Mimika Regent Eltinus Omaleng.

Furthermore, the procession of ignition of the PON XX furnace was carried out.

Then the XX PON fire will be carried around Timika City starting from Kuala Kencana, passing Cenderawasih Street to the XX PON competition arena in Timika Jaya SP2 Village, then heading to Yos Sudarso Street in front of the Timika Three Kings Cathedral Church.

The PON XX fire procession then crossed Jalan Hasanuddin and turned to Jalan Budi Utomo and returned to Jalan Yos Sudarso to the Timika Old Market which is the location for the cultural arts performance.

The eternal fire of PON XX was taken in Sorong Regency, West Papua Province.

After being flown to Biak and then to Timika, the XX PON fire was then flown to Wamena, the capital of Jayawijaya Regency on Wednesday (29/9), and then flown again to Merauke on Thursday, September 30.

On Friday (1/10), the fire from PON XX will be flown back to Jayapura to be handed over to the Mayor of Jayapura, and buried in the State Building (the office of the Governor of Papua).

The next day, on Saturday, October 2nd, the XX PON fire will be taken to Jayapura Regency, crossing Lake Sentani by traditional boat to Kalkote and then brought into the Lukas Enembe Main Stadium, where President Joko Widodo will open PON XX on 2 October at 19.00 WIT.

The XX PON fire was then lit in the cauldron of the Lukas Enembe Main Stadium during the quadrennial sporting event which will take place from 2 to 15 October.