JAKARTA | PT. Freeport Indonesia and the Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI) of Papua Province agreed to continue cooperation in fostering sports achievements, the best athletes from Papua.

The support of PT Freeport Indonesia was conveyed by the Vice President Director of PT Freeport Indonesia, Jenpino Ngabdi in the joint meeting with the Chairman of KONI Papua, Kenius Kogoya, Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at Freeport Indonesia Head Office, Jakarta.

"KONI Papua on behalf of all athletes and the people of Papua express their appreciation and gratitude to PT Freeport Indonesia for support for the continuation of coaching the achievements of the best athletes in the Land of Papua," Kogoya told the press on Tuesday evening in Jakarta.

Vice President Director of PT Freeport Indonesia, Jenpino Ngabdi conveyed to KONI to immediately submit a request for activities and cooperation to the President Director of PT. Freeport Indonesia.

Kenius Kogoya said that sustainable cooperation between PT Freeport and KONI Papua related to the development of Papuan athletes, sponsorship from each sub-contractor company in Freeport to become the supporter of sports branches and the welfare of sports players.

Kenius said that PT Freeport in supporting sports development and coaching outstanding Papuan athletes has been realized through budget support and sports facilities.

"We all know that Freeport is the main sponsor of the proud Papuan team, Persipura Jayapura. In addition, it also became the main sponsor during the PON XX. PT Freeport also built international sports venues such as the Mimika Sports Center and other venues in Timika. We are grateful that Freeport continues to support the development of our best athletes," he said.

According to him, continued support for the development of Papuan athletes has been running with the implementation of the National Training (Pelatnas) Athletics at the Mimika Sports Center complex, Mimika Regency. Freeport will also provide sponsorship donations for Papuan athletes to appear in national and international sports.

"So the continuation of PT Freeport's support after PON is that the facilities of the Mimika Sports Centre become a training center for the Athletics National Training. Freeport also said that it supports KONI to continue coaching the best Papuan athletes to compete at the regional and international levels. The support for the cooperation between Freeport and KONI Papua makes Papua and Indonesia proud in the international arena," said Kenius.

Kogoya added that Freeport asked KONI to prepare the best Papuan athletes to compete in domestic and international events held in 2023. "We thank PT Freeport again for its attention to support the best Papuan athletes to compete this year (2023)," he added.

The meeting between representatives of PT Freeport Indonesia and KONI Papua took place at the office of PT Freeport Indonesia, Rasuna Said, Kuningan, Jakarta. It was also attended by Arland Suruan from External Outreach CorCom and Murni Sihite from the Department of Government Relations of PT Freeport Indonesia and Secretary General of KONI Papua, George Weyasu and Vice Chairman for Data Collection and Management of KONI Papua, Davis Kambuaya.

In 2023, several sports events will be held at the domestic and international levels, namely the pre-qualification for the XXI Aceh-North Sumatra National Sports Week (PON) and the Cambodian Sea Games. The event will be followed by Papuan athletes including the 10 best Papuan athletes who will defend Indonesia at the Cambodian Sea Games. ***