Jayapura, 10/2 (Jubi) – A team of Central National Sport Committee of Indonesia (KONI) began reviewing the readiness of Papua to be the host of Pekan Olahraga Nasional (National Games) in 2020 by visiting some of sports, telecommunications and transportation facilities.
“One crucial requirement to be a host is minimum 50% of venues should be ready. And it is also related to the accommodation, health services, communication networks, and transportation access from one location to another,” KONI Vice Chairman Suwarno said on Monday (10/2) in Jayapura, Papua.
Suwarno who is also the chairman of the selection team, said a review on sports facilities and infrastructure in Papua will be conducted in several clusters/areas of greater Jayapura, Biak, Mimika, Jayawijaya and Merauke regencies.
In addition to Papua, five other provinces are vying to be the host of PON – Aceh, South Sulawesi, Bali, Central Java and North Sumatera.
“Therefore, in order to check the readiness of each province, the KONI team has been divided into three groups, and our group has been assigned to Papua,” he said.
The team will spend a week in Papua visiting five places that have been proposed to become venues.
“Today we inspected venues in Jayapura city and regency. Tomorrow or the day after tomorrow we are going to other four places. We wish Papua to make it to the top three candidates to host the PON XX 2020,” he said.
He said a meeting in March will determine the shortlist of three candidates.
“The meeting decision then will be submitted to the Ministry of Sports, who will then further propose to the President for a final decision on the host of PON 2020,” he added.
Asked about security issues in Papua, Suwarno admitted it was a consideration. However he said he believed that sections of Papuan society will support Papua to become the host of PON.
Meanwhile the Chairman of Verification Team of PON Papua Yunus Wonda said the Papua was 52% ready to host the event.
“We are very optimistic that Papua can be the host, because we have made the preparations, although some provinces also have the same goal,” he said.
He said he trusted the leadership of the Governor Lukas Enembe and Vice Governor Klemen Tinal and support by the heads of local regions that Papua’s hopes to become the host of PON will be happen. (Jubi/Alex/rom)
