WAMENA, PAPUA PEGUNUNGAN – A total of 102 athletes from Papua Mountain Province will take part in 15 sports competed in the 2024 XXI National Sports Week held in Aceh and North Sumatra Provinces.
Secretary of the Indonesian National Sports Committee of Papua Mountains Province, Timotius Matuan told reporters in Wamena City, Jayawijaya Regency, Papua Mountains Province, Monday (2/9/2024), “Athletes from Papua Mountains will participate in 15 sports competed in the XXI National Sports Week 2024 in Aceh and North Sumatra,” said Timotius Matuan.
As for the readiness of the athletes, according to Timothy Matuan, they have done various physical preparations and training according to the provisions before participating in the match, including athletes sent to Aceh Province and North Sumatra Province according to their fields and expertise so far.
The 15 sports that will be followed by 102 athletes from the Papua Mountains Province include:
- Weightlifting Sports Branch,
- Rowing Sports Branch,
- Archery Sports Branch.
- Roller Skating Sport Branch,
- Football Sports Branch,
- Futsal Sports Branch,
- Bodybuilding Sports Branch,
- Pencak silat Sports Branch,
- Karate Sports Branch,
- Boxing Sports Branch,
- Chess Sports Branch,
- Billiard Sports Branch,
- Kite Flying Sport Branch.
As planned, the athletes departed for Aceh Province and North Sumatra Province on Friday (6/9/2024) and this was the last athlete and official to depart from Papua Mountains Province, because according to the schedule set by the committee, athletes from Papua Mountains Province arrived in Aceh Province and North Sumatra on Saturday (7/9/2024) and right on Sunday (8/9/2024) all athletes will attend the opening ceremony, “Our target is that on September 6 all athletes and officials have left and the next day they arrive at the location,” said Timothy Matuar.
Meanwhile, for the problem of Human Resources in the Indonesian National Sports Committee and athletes in the Papua Mountains Province as a Province there are still a number of obstacles and adjustments, “Very grateful to the Governor who has dispatched 102 athletes and officials totaling 294 people,” said Timothy.
Regarding their departure to the West End Province of Indonesia, the Provincial Government of Papua Mountains is collaborating with PT Garuda Indonesia, so that the mobilization of athletes along with other Human Resources is resolved.
Asked about the target at the XXI National Sports Week, according to him as a New Autonomous Region, his party is optimistic.
However, Timothy admitted that as a new province, the adjustment of Human Resources in the implementation of the National Sports Week is one of the factors that the target has not been determined, however, he hopes to continue to provide proud results for the people of the Mountains as a commitment of the Acting Governor of Papua Mountains, “Even if you don’t get gold, if you can get silver and bronze it is already an extraordinary thing,” continued Timothy.
Moreover, since the first National Sports Week until now, there are several provinces in Indonesia that have participated in the National Sports Week and have never won a medal.
Meanwhile, the opening ceremony of the XXI National Sports Week will be held on Monday (9/9/2024) at 19.00 WIB at Harapan Bangsa Stadium, Banda Aceh and while the closing ceremony is scheduled for September 20, 2024.