West Java Men's Volleyball Team Determined To Make History At PON Papua

West Java athletes Jasen Natanael Kilantan (left) and Farhan Halim (right) (Photo: PB PON PAPUA XX/Ardy Alvez)

JAKARTA - The West Java men's volleyball team is determined to make history by winning the XX National Sports Week (PON) gold medal, while in the women's sector it is the mission to be the defending champion.

The West Java men's and women's volleyball teams have the opportunity to realize both, and even win gold if they are able to beat their opponents in the final.

Launching Antara, at PON XX Papua, West Java will play in the top party on Tuesday afternoon WIT later at GOR Koya Koso, Jayapura City.

Jasen Nathanael Kilanta and his friends will face DKI Jakarta, while in the women's sector, Wilda Nurfadhilah and friends will face the challenge of Central Java.

For the record, West Java men have not won a gold medal in the PON edition since PON XV 2000 in Surabaya or it has been 21 years. Finally, West Java won it at the 1996 PON XIV.

"Of course, this record is a motivation and encouragement for me and my friends to play optimally in the final. Hopefully we can get the results as expected," said the West Java men's volleyball captain Gunawan Saputra as quoted by Antara.

In the women's sector, qualifying for the final made the effort to defend the title wide open. At the PON XIX in West Java, at that time the host succeeded in getting a gold medal.

Meanwhile, Central Java Women's Volleyball Player Sindhy Sasgia was grateful that until now she was given the opportunity to fight and play in the PON final.

"From the beginning we have been practicing morning, afternoon and evening. We definitely want to show the best results, but we leave all the results of the match to those above, "he said.

"Friends and Shindy personally want to fight and show the best results for Central Java," added the volleyball player who is also a model.

In this year's PON, the Central Java women can be said to be a surprise team. Predicted not to qualify for the final, but since the preliminary round has shown its quality.

In the inaugural match, East Java was even able to bow down after being defeated with a convincing score, 3-1.

On the other hand, what makes the final atmosphere even more interesting is the abundance of professional players whose names have strengthened the team in the biggest volleyball competition in Indonesia, Proliga.

West Java has a classy squad. Of the 12 names he brought to Papua, all of them had experienced playing in the Proliga competition. Not only that, the label of the national team player is also attached to the names of several athletes.

Such as Wilda Nurfadhilah, Shella Bernadetha, Tisya Amalia, Ratri Wulandari, and Nurlaili Kusumah.

Central Java also has several names of professional Proliga players, including Kemuning Dyah Ayu, Chantika Laviara, Anggita Dian, Shindy Sasgia.

In the men's sector, West Java has a squad whose 90 percent of the players have played in the Proliga, one of whom is Dimas Saputra. The player even won gold at the 2019 SEA Games.

From DKI Jakarta, names such as Dio Zulfikri and Okky Damar Saputra became the focus of the Capital City team to thwart West Java's efforts to make history in Papua.