Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Inauguration of Seven PON XX Venues, at Papua Bangkit (Papua Rises Up) Stadium, Kampung Harapan, 2 October 2021, Jayapura City, Papua Province

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

Good morning,

May prosperity be upon us all,

Shalom.

We should be grateful, alhamdulillah, all the venues of PON XX Papua have been completed and are ready to be used to support the success of PON (the National Games), which is the first time to be held in Papua.

We should also be grateful that Papua now has various sporting event venues with international standards, including Papua Bangkit Stadium, Aquatic Venue, Cricket Venue, Hockey Venue, Rowing Venue, Archery Venue, and Roller Skate Venue. These venues feature various innovations, the sophistication of construction that is energy saving and environmentally friendly.

After being able to build the best venues, our work is not done yet. The next task is to keep, maintain, and make the best use of the venue. I’m not expecting that once the PON is over, this facility that has been built using large funds and with international standards will turn into a lonely, unkempt, and eventually damaged place. We don’t want this to happen.

To that end, I order the Governor, Regents, and Mayors to prepare the management of this facility in a professional manner immediately so that the existing venues will be well-maintained. Make the best use of this venue as a place for selecting excellent athletes, coaching Papuan athletes to be more successful at the national and international levels.

That concludes my remarks on this auspicious occasion. And by saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, I officially inaugurate the venues of PON XX Papua.

I thank you.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullah wabarakatuh. (RIF/MUR)