PON Athletic Arena Readiness Reaches 95 Percent

PON Papua athletic arena (photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The readiness of the athletic sports arena to hold the XX Papua National Sports Week (PON) has reached 95 percent.

"The percentage is almost more than 95 percent, because it's all like the equipment has gone into the warehouse, tomorrow we just have to use it all," said Technical Delegate for Athletics Dwi Priyono to Antara at the Mimika Sport Complex GOR, Mimika, Papua, Monday.

Dwi said that his party has prepared all the equipment that will be used in various competitions. For today, he said, the committee has tested the readiness of "photo finish" and "start block".

"This morning the athlete has tried the 'start block' with the new 'photo finish' system. It has been tried and the results are ready," he said.

As for the rainy weather that has drenched Mimika in the last few days, Dwi said it was also a concern for the committee.

He said there are limits that become benchmarks to determine whether the match can be continued or not in the pouring rain.

"So as long as it doesn't interfere with the athlete's movement. This means that athletes such as running numbers, for example, he runs, then it turns out to be disturbing his view, we will stop. Then in the long jump it turns out to be annoying when he refuses, we will also stop it until the rain stops, " he said.

Dwi added that if the rain did not stop until evening, then the match would be resumed the next day. However, he hopes the weather can be friendly during the event.

On that occasion, Dwi also ensured that the health protocols would be strictly implemented. Spectators in attendance are required to wear masks and keep their distance. There are hand sanitisers at various points of the stadium.

The committee also regularly cleans the sports equipment used by the athletes and alerts the medical team in the stadium.

Dwi hopes that athletic competitions can run smoothly and successfully produce outstanding athletes. He also invited the Papuan people to enliven the athletic competition by attending directly to the stadium.

"We hope that the community will continue to come. Although athletics are not as spectacular as basketball, they still come because there are Papuan athletes here too, the hosts of course need support from all of them," said Dwi.

The PON XX Papua competition in athletics will take place from 5 to 14 October 2021 at GOR Mimika Sport Complex and Freeport Kuala Kencana Complex.

There are 23 male and female competitions that are competed for 46 gold medals, 46 silver medals, and 46 bronze medals.