President Jokowi Monday (09/09) opens the National Sports Week at Harapan Bangsa Stadium, Banda Aceh city, Aceh province. (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/ Muchlis Jr)
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, accompanied by First Lady Ibu Iriana Jokowi, officially opened the 21st National Sports Week (PON) at Harapan Bangsa Stadium in Banda Aceh, Aceh province on Monday (09/09).
The opening of the sports week marked the commencement of the biggest sporting event in Indonesia, which is joined by thousands of athletes across the country.
President Jokowi and the First Lady arrived at the stadium at 19.30 Western Indonesian Time and was enthusiastically welcomed by the crowds who packed the stadium.
The event began with the singing of national anthem Indonesia Raya by Tiara Andini, followed by the Aceh hymn and the PON marching song, further uplifting the spirit of nationalism and sportsmanship. Afterward, the event proceeded with the recitation of Qur’an by Muhammad Ahsin, the 2nd Qori Champion of the Tilawah (recital) branch at the 2022 International Musabaqah Tilawatil Quran (Quran Recital Competition/MTQ) in Algeria. The invited guests were also entertained with the fascinating “Aceh Seumapa” dance performance with its energetic and meaningful moves.
In addition, the theme song of the 21st PON was also played to boost the spirit of the participants and spectators. The event also presented a parade showing athletes and officials from all over Indonesia.
Next, the Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI) flag was raised, followed by the reading of athlete’s pledge by the speed climbing gold medalist of the 2024 Paris Olympic Veddriq Leonardo and the reading of the referee’s pledge by the shooting sports referee K.S. Hendry Oka.
The event then proceeded with the screening of a video titled “The Light of Aceh,” which showcased the beauty and richness of the Acehnese culture. In his remarks, the President sent appreciation to all parties for their great efforts to make the PON a success.
“Tonight, I’d like to say teurimong gaséh (thank you) to the regional government and the Aceh community for hosting the 21st PON Aceh-North Sumatra,” the President said.
The lighting of the PON fire cauldron and several art performances as well as firework shows that adorned the Banda Aceh sky closed the PON opening ceremony. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/DNS) (FI/MMB)
