Poor Achievement For 3 Decades, PON Papua Is Expected To Be A Moment Of Resurrection Of Indonesian Boxing

Papuan Women's Boxer Ona Antryni Paays (Blue) against South Kalimantan Women's Boxer Mutia Adelya Women's Pin (45 Kg) PON XX Papua (Photo: PB PON XX Papua/Agustinus Tri Mulyadi)

JAKARTA - General Chairperson of PP Pertina Komarudin Simanjuntak acknowledged that boxing's achievements in the last three decades have decreased and that the 2021 PON XX Papua is expected to be a momentum for revival.

'This is the time for boxing in Indonesia to rise. We use the PON moment as a revival event. We start from the land of the rising sun, Papua," said Komaruddin at the Wisma Athlete Building, Mandala Stadium Complex, Jayapura, Papua, Tuesday as reported by Antara.

The former Commander of the Udayana Military Command explained that changes to the revival of boxing must be made, including the human resources of the administrators. In addition, it must be supported by science and technology (IT).

''Resurrection is not only on achievement alone. Improvements must be made from within through reforming and fostering organizations, facilities and infrastructure, training and coaching at an early age towards updated IT," he added.

Responding to the preparations made by the PON Grand Committee, especially the local committee in the boxing branch, he admitted that he was very happy.

''Preparation of the executive committee has been very maximal. Also local panpel. I really appreciate it. Especially the role of the Papuan people who work extra from morning to midnight to realize a successful PON," said the retired two-star TNI Army (AD).

At PON Papua 2021, boxing will compete in 17 classes, 10 for men and 7 for women. There are 143 athletes who are ready to fight to win 68 total medals, each with 17 gold, 17 silver and 34 bronze medals.

The boxing match lasted for eight days. Every day there are 16 parties or 32 boxers fighting using the knockout system and the match itself takes place at GOR APO Cendrawasih, Jayapura City, 5-13 October.