A Success Story of PON XX Papua: “Torang Samua Basudara!”
NEWS — November 2021
Papua National Sports Week (PON) XX event held in 13 days was recently wrapping up successfully. The Indonesian biggest sports event was conducive with satisfactory results, while West Java Province came out as the overall champion.
This event’s success is a testament to Indonesia’s strong commitment to unity in diversity and integrity, which have been the country’s foundation for peace and development.
The PON was held separately and simultaneously across cities in Papua. Coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic situation, the event indeed demanded extra work from all parties involved as it required the implementation of strict health protocols while at the same time ensuring security and stability during the events.
Fortunately, all events yield positive results thanks to the extensive teamwork, solidarity, and collaboration among various stakeholders, communities, civil society, and nation elements.
“The success of PON XX (in Papua) also reflects the strength of the unity and integrity of Indonesia as the pluralistic nation. Here in Papua, we are once again proving that solidarity, sportsmanship, and unity are the keys to mutual success.
“We must always take care of this (unity) together. Torang Samua Basudara. We are all brothers”, said Indonesian Vice President Ma’ruf Amin in the XX PON Closing at Lukas Enembe Stadium, Jayapura.
In this prestigious sports event, Papua Province, as the host, successfully took the fourth position in the final standings after winning 93 gold, 66 silver, and 102 bronze medals. Such an achievement proves that Papua is full of sports talent, making the province the national sports elite force.
To this end, this modality must indeed be maintained by all pertinent stakeholders. Papua’s achievement shows hope that development is being undergone in all aspects to accelerate the welfare of Land of Papua.
In this opportunity, the host athlete Glorya Rinny Keleyan made history as she won gold in the women’s bantamweight (under 53 kilograms) kyorugi final. She won after defeating Tsamarah Tsabitah of Central Java at the Kayu Batu Aviation Training Center, Jayapura City.
Besides, Papua also won as the overall champions of Muay Thai with a collection of six gold, and also kite flying, parachuting, and motorized with five golds and became a new force in the shooting branch. Papua’s local athlete Andreas Yunut Boky, appeared as the new star in this sport event.
In addition to that, the Cenderawasih team successfully matched the gold for men’s and women’s soccer for the first time in the history of participating in PON.
Through the men’s soccer reunion duel, the Mutiara Hitam (the Black Pearls — Papuan soccer team is known for) defeated the Tanah Rencong army of Aceh province by 2–0 in the final held at the Mandala Stadium, Jayapura City. Meanwhile, in the women’s soccer final, the Papuan heroins won 1–0 over West Java at the Katalpal Stadium, Merauke City.
In this opportunity, Vice President Ma’ruf Amin also expressed his appreciation for the high determination and dedication of the government, both at the national and regional levels, and of course, the Papuan themselves who have worked hand in hand for preparing and organizing the XX PON in Papua.
He further said, “For me, this is the most difficult PON held. But it turns out that Papuan are not only able to organize it, (but) they have (also) even succeeded in carrying it out perfectly.”
The Papuan PON is but a ‘show of force’, regarding the commitment of all national components in contributing to national unity through such a sports competition.
Sports have the potentials, indeed, to promote social integration in civil society and enhance the spirit of brotherhood and friendship through fair play. Indonesia has once again proven that the principle of unity in diversity remains the country’s national foundation, part of the people’s social life.
*This piece fully represents the writer’s idea. It does not express any ideas or stances of specific institutions or organizations she works at or is affiliated with.
