Minister of Youth and Sports Dito Ariotedjo delivers a press statement following a limited meeting on the Follow-Up of the 21st PON and 2024 Peparnas Preparation at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Thursday (06/13). (Photo by: PR of Cabinet Secretariat/Seno)
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has ordered that the 21st National Sports Week (PON) and National Paralympic Week (Peparnas) in Aceh and North Sumatra provinces be executed right on schedule.
“The President gave a clear order that the 2024 PON and Peparnas must take place on schedule and that there must not be a setback,” Minister of Youth and Sports Dito Ariotedjo said in his press statement following a limited meeting on the follow-up of the 21st PON in Aceh and Sumatra Utara provinces and 2024 Peparnas led by President Jokowi at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Thursday (06/13).
Dito ensured that the venue utilized for the 21st PON is set to be completed in July, adding that his ministry continues to make other preparations for all events in the sports week, such as the contingent departure and event organization, including the opening and closing ceremonies.
“As for the PON in Aceh and North Sumatra, we are monitoring the venue [progress]. Not only the Government, but also the Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI) and federations. We check every progress according to the function. Thus, we will ensure that it can be used in July. Perhaps there will be test events for some sports prior to PON,” he said.
Dito pointed out that the President has approved the National Paralympic Committee’s (NPC) request to organize the 17th Peparnas in Surakarta city, Central Java province, based on the decision made during the 2024 National Work Meeting of the NPC, which was held in Surakarta on April 28.
“We completely understand their aspiration because Surakarta was the host for the 2022 ASEAN Para Games, [which was held] recently. The venues and equipment for disability sports or paralympics are all available in the city. As for accommodation and hotels, those in Surakarta meet the accessibility standards for the disabled,” he said.
Furthermore, Dito stated that the President has ordered that the 21st PON and 17th Peparnas be executed well in terms of administration and organization, and make great achievements. To that end, Dito said that his ministry will continue to ensure that the construction and renovation of venues in Aceh and North Sumatra can be completed on time. (THG/ABD) (DH/LW)
