Aceh and North Sumatra, as hosts of the National Sports Week (PON) 2024, need stadiums for opening and closing ceremonies of the multi-sports event, Deputy Chairperson I of the National Sports Committee (KONI) Suwarno stated.
Suwarno emphasized the need for the central government’s support to ensure the successful convening of PON.
“PON will be held starting on September 9, 2024, which coincides with National Sports Day (Haornas). The implementation is during a political year, but it is still during President Joko Widodo’s term of office,” he noted in a written statement received on Tuesday.
At a coordination meeting with several institutions in Jakarta on Tuesday, Suwarno stated that the opening ceremony of PON 2024 is planned to be held in Aceh. Meanwhile, North Sumatra will become the location for the closing.
“Both of them (Aceh and North Sumatra) do not yet have stadiums (for opening and closing ceremonies). Thus, we are monitoring the construction of stadiums. One for Aceh and one for North Sumatra,” he stated.
Apart from stadiums, he noted that the hosts still needed match equipment.
“This has been communicated with the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Currently, each province is preparing venues, accommodations, and other needs,” he remarked.
He also stressed that existing sports venues should be utilized by renovating them first instead of constructing new venues.
In addition, there is the need for disability-friendly equipment, as Aceh and North Sumatra will also host the National Paralympic Week 2024.
At the meeting, Director of Strategic Infrastructure at the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing, Essy Asiah, stated that only one year was left for the preparations. Thus, she expressed optimism that support from the central government would be realized soon.
Deputy for Human Development and Culture of the Cabinet Secretariat (Setkab), Yuli Harsono, as chair of the meeting, stated that he would seek a limited meeting to discuss the preparations of PON 2024 in Aceh and North Sumatra.
Source: Antara News