For The First Time, PON Veteran Class Chess Competition

Veteran class chess at PON Papua (PhotoL: Antara)

JAKARTA - The chess sport at the XX Papua National Sports Week (PON) competes in the veteran class, which is attended by athletes aged over 60 years.

The chairman of the Organizing Committee for the XX Papua PON chess sport, Sonny Ronal Ropa, explained that this was the first time the veteran class competition had been held.

"There is one category that has been added, namely the age group above 60 years. Indeed, at the previous PON, it was not contested," said Sonny Ronal Ropa at the Swiss-bellhotel Merauke Ballroom, Monday, as reported by Antara.

Sonny said the overall chess sport was attended by 100 athletes from 23 participating contingents or provinces who would compete for 15 gold medals.

He said the holding of chess matches during the COVID-19 pandemic followed the standards of the Olympics by implementing strict health protocols.

"This match is a bit different from yesterday. We use Olympic standards. Competing during the COVID-19 pandemic is indeed a bit tight to enter the room. First, the COVID-19 Task Force checks all contingents of athletes and referees must have antigen tests," said Sonny.

A total of seven sports were held in the Merauke Regency cluster, namely women's football, fencing, wushu, chess, road race, wrestling, and motocross.

PON XX Papua, which will be held on October 2-15, 2021, will feature 37 sports and 11 exhibition sports in four clusters, namely Jayapura City, Jayapura Regency, Mimika Regency, and Merauke Regency.