The Indonesian Karate-do Sports Federation (FORKI) papua encourages the local KONI to support the try out plan to Bali Province.

According to the Head of FORKI Papua province, Christina Luluporo, Papuan karate athletes desperately need a rival to achieve the best achievement in National Sports Week XX 2021.

Moreover, the opponent this time is the karate team of National Training Center of Sea Games 2021, so it hopes KONI Papua support to be able to approve the plan.

"During the COVID-19 pandemic, Papuan karate athletes only conducted independent training in Jayapura. So we think that we have to try out outside Papua".

"Hopefully we can get support from KONI Papua because we pegged two gold medals at National Sports Week XX 2021 in Papua. Although actually our ambition for more medals will be much better," Christina said in Jayapura, Thursday (22/4/2021) 

In addition to trying out, he added, Forki Papua also encouraged to conduct event venue tests, upon returning from Bali Province.

"This is important so that athletes become accustomed to the existing venues. So we ask for KONI support but also the National Sports Week Committee of Papua to prepare all the necessary devices at the venue," he hoped.

Head Coach of Karate Papua, Zakarias M. Sogorom considers the try out plan to Bali Province, it is very important to measure the ability of the athletes.

"The point is athletes need flying hours to compete. They (athletes) have also been in Jayapura long enough, so there must be a try out so that athletes feel the atmosphere of a competitive match," he said.

He hopes KONI Papua can give the agreement especially the opponent is the National Training Center of Sea Games 2021 team.

"Because of this try out, the Papuan coaching team can evaluate and create a new work program to prepare a solid team, so that it can reach achievements in National Sports Week XX Papua.

It is known that in the upcoming National Sports Week Papua 2021, the Papuan karate team will participate in 17 contested classes. There are 17 athletes who qualified for National Sports Week of Papua.

Previously, at the Mayor's International Open Championship held in Surabaya, July 2019, Karateka Papua won 9 medals with 2 gold medals, 2 silver medals, and 5 bronze medals.

Then, at the Akmil Open Championship 2020 National Championship the Governor's Rotating Cup in Magelang in March 2021, Karate Papua ordained as the general champion by collecting 5 gold medals men and women team and individual Kumite, as well as 6 bronze medals from individual Kumite numbers of men and women.