PALANGKA RAYA – EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATION BUREAU. Central Kalimantan Governor H. Sugianto Sabran released a contingent of athletes who will take part in the XX National Sports Week (PON) 2021 in Papua. The event took place at the front yard of Isen Mulang Palace, Friday (10/9/2021) afternoon.

Governor Sugianto Sabran advised the athletes, as the Central Kalimantan ambassadors, to bring the good name of Central Kalimantan at the XX PON in Papua which will be held on October 2-15, 2021.

“I hope we can maintain and even improve well in several sports, as well as keep the good name of Central Kalimantan,” said Governor Sugianto Sabran.

In front of the contingent, Governor gave his enthusiasm and support so that the athletes continued to practice, maintain their health, and keep praying to God Almighty. By firing up the spirit of Isen Mulang, athletes, coaches, officials, managers, and official contingents are expected to be able to make Central Kalimantan proud on the national scale.

Chairman of the Central Kalimantan KONI H. Eddy Raya Samsuri in his report conveyed the readiness of the Central Kalimantan contingent to take part in the XX PON in Papua. KONI of Central Kalimantan in the XX PON will participate in 19 sports and send 179 athletes, coaches, and officials in total. As for the cluster, it consists of 4 cluster organizers, namely the Jayapura City cluster which holds bodybuilding, softball, baseball, sand volleyball, badminton, rowing, sepak takraw (kick volleyball), taekwondo, and boxing. Jayapura Regency Cluster consists of swimming, archery, and shooting. The Merauke Regency cluster consists of fencing, motorcycling, chess, and women’s football. Last, the Mimika Regency cluster consists of athletics, rock climbing, and billiards.

All of these sports have conducted regional training and independent training, and from D-4 before departure to Papua, each sport has carried out self-quarantine and 2 PCR tests until before departure. This PCR test will be supported by Central Kalimantan Police Chief at Bhayangkara Hospital.

Central Kalimantan was ranked 26th nationally at the XIX PON (2016) in West Java bringing home 3 gold, 4 silver, and 4 bronze medals. “Our hope, this year’s PON, we can at least maintain our position as before and be enthusiastic to get higher rank with the enthusiasm and support from all Central Kalimantan people,” concluded Eddy Raya Samsuri.

Specially present at the event was the Member of the Indonesian House of Representatives for Central Kalimantan Region H. Agustiar Sabran. Also accompanying the Governor was the Vice Governor of Central Kalimantan H. Edy Pratowo, Acting Provincial Secretary of Central Kalimantan H. Nuryakin, Head of Youth and Sports Agency of Central Kalimantan Falery Tuwan, Secretary General of Central Kalimantan KONI Elbadi Fardian, Executive Chairperson of Central Kalimantan KONI Christian Sancho, and all athletes for the XX PON in Papua. (din/eka/translated by feb)