SORONG, WEST PAPUA – Chairman of DPD RI AA La Nyalla Mahmud Mattalitti proved his concern for Papua Island by attending the groundbreaking ceremony of SMK Papua Bangkit and the establishment of the Dutch Football School in Sorong, Southwest Papua on Saturday, July 6, 2024.
The groundbreaking was held at Mooi Park Field, Saoka, West Sorong District, Sorong City, Southwest Papua. La Nyalla stated his presence because he really loved Papua. AA La Nyalla Mahmud Mattalitti believes that the school can make a concrete and real contribution to producing superior human resources in the world of education. And part of Southwest Papua’s support towards the Golden Indonesia 2045, “I am here because I really love Papua. I believe this school can make a concrete and real contribution to giving birth to superior human resources in the world of education and sports in our beloved land of Papua. As well as being part of Southwest Papua’s support in welcoming the Golden Indonesia 2045,” La Nyalla said.
This Senator from East Java also considered the laying of the first stone a very historic thing. Therefore, he was present in order to support a concrete effort to improve human resources that was right on target, “one example of this SMK Papua Bangkit, where there are fields of expertise in energy and mining, that means, this SMK can be the answer to the comparative advantages of Papua, especially Southwest Papua in optimizing local human resources to engage in productive economic activities in the mining sector,” La Nyalla said.
On the occasion, the former PSSI Chairman added that human resource development is also ensured to be present from the world of sports that will be produced by this Dutch Foot Ball School. Because football in Papua is like a second religion, because the D.N.A. of football is so strong in the blood of indigenous Papuans, it is proven from Papuan football players who have never been absent from adorning the Indonesian National Football Team at various age levels, “I as a former Chairman of the PSSI National Team Agency and former Chairman of PSSI, have more respect for players from Papua, rather than foreign football players contracted by clubs in Indonesia. Because our pride must remain with the nation’s children who were born and raised in their homeland. Because for me, the countries out there, which have football achievements, should be enough inspiration for us to learn, ” said La Nyalla.
La Nyalla is optimistic that in the future there will be more black pearls born from Papua, following the names that have adorned the history of the Indonesian National Football Team, such as:
- Boaz Solossa,
- Ortizan Solossa,
- Terens Puhiri,
- Patrick Wanggai,
- Titus Bonai,
- Okto Maniani,
- Yanto Basna,
- Ricky Kambuaya.
“All are black pearls born from Papua. Even Boaz and Ortizan are native sons of Sorong. Papuan players are all legendary,” he said.
On the other hand, Paul Vincent Mayor as the founder of the Dutch Football School and SMK Papua Bangkit expressed his gratitude for the visit of the Chairman of DPD RI. According to him, it is an honor to be present at the end of Indonesia, “I want to build Papua not only in infrastructure, but also build its human resources, build its children, our human resources must be superior. This is already a reality, our natural resources are dredged up, but our children are worse off. Therefore, I built these two schools for the children of Papua, the children of the Indonesian nation,” said Paul who has also been elected as a DPD member for the 2024-2029 service period.
Principal of SMK Papua Bangkit Petrus Lelmalaya said he was very touched by the groundbreaking ceremony. He hoped that the presence of the chairman of DPD could spark the central government to pay attention to the region, especially Sorong, “this school is very suitable to stand here, very appropriate, because 70 percent in this area is where children drop out of school. I want the presence of the chairman of DPD RI to convey the cries of Papuan children who want to go to school. We not only need educational facilities, but also need school bus transportation. Because for school we have to walk for miles, but with the existence of this SMK it will be the right means for Papuan children to feel the joy of a region blessed by God with natural wealth. Papuan children should not only be unemployed, they must feel the blessings of God’s grace,” said Petrus.
In the event, La Nyalla was accompanied by senators from Jambi Elviana, M. Sanusi (Southwest Papua), Andi Ihsan (South Sulawesi), Deputy Administration of the Secretariat General of DPD RI Lalu Niqman Zahir, Special Staff of the Chairman of DPD RI Sefdin Syaifudin, Head of Setpim Bureau Sanherif Hutagaol and then attended by the Secretary of Sorong City Yakop Karet, Founder of the Dutch Football School and SMK Papua Bangkit Paul Vincent Mayor, Principal of SMK Papua Bangkit Petrus Lelmalaya, DPD member elected from Sorong Hartono, as well as representatives from the Head of the Sorong Education Office, Papuan People’s Assembly, West Biak Tribal Chief and the people of Sorong.
