JAKARTA - The Central National Sports Committee (KONI) held a meeting with the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) which was attended by the Acting Governors of the New Autonomous Region (DOB) in the Land of Papua.

The joint meeting, which was held in the Main meeting room at the Ministry of Home Affairs Office, was chaired directly by the Deputy Minister, Jhon Wempi Wetipo and was also attended by the KONI Papua Management, Tuesday (14/2/2023)

Referring to the regulations on the New Autonomous Region (DOB) which now has 38 provinces as participants in sport events. The government, in this case, President Jokowi requested that the new provinces resulting from the expansion of Papua, namely South Papua, Highland Papua, Southwest Papua, and Central Papua, could be included in the PON event in Aceh.

"Although newly formed, 4 new regions will be given privileges as participants in the XXI National Sports Week (PON) 2024 in Aceh-North Sumatra," said the Chairman of the Central Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI), Lt. Gen. TNI Purn Marciano in the main hall of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Marciano said that it was a direct instruction by President Joko Widodo on a meeting some time ago with KONI and the Ministry of Youth and Sports regarding the PON XXI/2024 Aceh- North Sumatra. "He (the President of the Republic of Indonesia) expressly conveyed to us at the meeting that in the implementation of PON XXI, 38 provinces must participate in it," he said.

"I want, Acting Governor to be the Chairman of KONI of the Preparatory Province," said the Chairman of Central KONI. However, the provincial management of sports can continue to support KONI Papua, "he said.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs on that occasion hoped that the acting DOB of Papua would be ready to become the Chairman of Provincial KONI in their respective regions.

Wetipo also requested that KONI duties in the DOB be given a mandate and answer directly to the Claimants. "The officials are requested to be willing to be the Chairman of KONI. This is to facilitate the level of coordination, so that what becomes the president's mandate can be achieved," Wetipo said at the meeting.

The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs also asked the Acting Governor to immediately prepare the regional logos so that the PON event can be flown.

In the meeting, Acting Governor of Central Papua Rebekah Haluk began her willingness to become the Chairman of KONI of Central Papua Province. Likewise, Acting Governor of Southwest Papua Mohammad Musa'ad, Acting Governor of Highland Papua, Nikolaus Kondomo and also Acting Governor of South Papua Apolo Safanpo. They are ready to become the Chairman of Provincial KONI for New Autonomous Region.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of KONI Papua, Kenius Kogoya, who was present at the meeting, hoped that with the formation of KONI in the New Autonomous Region, each province could take advantage of existing sports facilities for coaching athletes and sports.

"The essence of sport is character building and forging unity. What became the President's instruction we are ready to help the formation of the branch sport of Provincial Government in the New Autonomous Region. The readiness of athletes will be coordinated between Central KONI and KONI of Papua related to regulations. In principle, we support all policies of the President," said Kenius. ***