Sports are one of the activities enjoyed by the people living in Papua. The enthusiasm for sports is due to the high potential of the Papuan people to become athletes in the future. Of course, this is not just an excuse because history records how athletes in Indonesia came from Papua. Athletic sports such as running and also team sports such as football and even badminton in Indonesia must have one athlete who is a native Papuan. Therefore, the local government is working with other parties to hold the Inter-Village Championship in Papua to find the potential for superior seeds of future athletes from Papua.
The Regional Government in Papua held the Inter-Village Championship based on recommendations from the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Indonesia. The implementation process was carried out starting from discussions and selecting a location to hold the sports championship. After being discussed by the Youth and Sports Office of Merauke Regency, it was decided that the Inter-Village Championship in 2024 would be held in South Papua Province, precisely in Merauke Regency. This event can be participated by anyone according to the name of the championship, namely inter-village, which means that this championship can be participated by people from any village in Papua. The number of participants is not limited. In addition, there are various kinds of sports that are competed.
The search for future athletes through the Inter-Village Championship is considered effective as an initial step to select anyone who has the potential to then be given further training. The sports that are competed are also sports that are competed in the National Sports Week. Although there is a serious goal to find prospective athletes, the Inter-Village Championship can also be followed by Papuans who just want to take part in sports competitions without wanting to become athletes in the future. In fact, the event was opened with a Fun Run competition, namely a 5-kilometer running race that is intended as entertainment. Because in addition to recruiting athletes, the Inter-Village Championship also aims to be an entertainment activity for people who like to exercise.
Serious sports such as football, badminton, volleyball, athletics, and even gymnastics are also competed in the Inter-Village Championship. The plan is that this sports event will not only take place in one location such as in Merauke Regency. However, in one year it can be held at several locations spread across each province in Papua. The hope of organizing the Inter-Village Championship is to provide a forum for Papuan people who have a high spirit for sports. In addition, the Youth and Sports Service also hopes that the Inter-Village Championship can help them find superior seeds of future athletes who can defend Papua in the National Sports Week and even represent Indonesia in world-class championships.
