President Jokowi Opens 19th National Games
President Jokowi gives his remarks at the opening of the 19th National Games in Bandung LautanApi sport stadium in Bandung, West Java, Saturday (17/9). (Photo by: Public Relations Division/Rahmat)
President Joko Jokowi Widodo on Saturday evening (17/9) officially opened the 19thedition of the National Games (PON) held at Bandung Lautan Api sport stadium in Bandung, West Java.
The opening ceremony began at around 7.30 pm and was marked by the singing of national anthem Indonesia Raya, followed by fireworks show, a percussion performance, anda parade of participants, starting from Aceh province and ending with host West Java.
In his remarks, President Jokowi said that the champions at the 19th National Games are expected to become Indonesias hopes to deliver medals at the 2017 Sea Games in Malaysia and the 2018 Asian Games, in which Indonesia will be the host.
President Jokowi added that as an opportunity to develop sports in Indonesia, the Gamesis the momentum to popularize sport competitions as well as to rejuvenate the national movement of sport competition. That way, the President added,Indonesia will become a strong nation among countries in the world.
The competition must begin from villages, from districts, from regencies, from cities, and all provinces in the country, President Jokowi said, adding that everyone has to be involved so Indonesia can have many more new talents in sport.
Ending his remarks, President Jokowi wished the athletes success in the games.
Be glorious in the legendary land of West Java. Make your regions proud of you, make Indonesia proud with your achievements, the President said.
The opening ceremony ended with the torch relayed by 7 Indonesian athletes with outstanding achievement: Susi Susanti, Taufik Hidayat, Anton Suseno, Ade Rai, Tontowi Ahmad, Lilyana Natsir, and Risa Susanty. The torch was then handed to karate world champion from West Java Lala Diah Pitaloka before it was put on the cauldron at the stadium.
The opening ceremony was closed by the official anthem of the 19th National Games entitled Berjaya di Tanah Legenda (Glorious in the Legendary Land) that was composed by musician Dwiki Dharmawanand performed by singer Armand Maulana.
Also attending the opening ceremony were First Lady Ibu Iriana Joko Widodo, Coordinating Minister for the Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani, Minister of Youth and Sports Imam Nahrawi, Minister of Home Affairs Tjahjo Kumolo, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Commander of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI)General Gatot Nurmantyo, and Chief of the Indonesian National Police General Tito Karnavian.
West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan, West Java Deputy GovernorDeddy Mizwar, and Bandung Mayor Ridwan Kamil were also present at the opening ceremony. (RAH/ES)(EP/YM/Naster)
