Welcome Speech of President Joko Widodo in the Opening Ceremony of the 19th National Sports Week (PON XIX), 17 September 2016, at Bandung Lautan Api Stadium, Bandung, West Java
Unofficial Translation in English
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim,
Assalamualaikum warrahmatullahi wabarakaatuh,
Good evening, may prosperity be upon us all,
Greetings, Sport Enthusiasts!
Sampurasun (Sundanese greeting)
Distinguished Athletes and Coaches from all Indonesian provinces that I am proud of,
Honourable Heads of State Institution and Ministers of the Working Cabinet,
Honourable Heads of Regional Government, especially the Governor of West Java Province and Officials of the National Sports Committee of Indonesia (KONI) and the National Olympic Committee of Indonesia (KOI),
Ladies and gentlemen,
At this moment, the best Indonesian athletes from all provinces have gathered in the legendary land of West Java. Each and every one of them is ready to compete and triumph on the 19th National Sports Weeks (PON XIX). They will be our heroes in 2017 Sea Games in Malaysia and 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia.
As a sport development event, National Sports Week (PON) is a momentum to promote sport competition as a national movement. Competition must be initiated from various area level such as villages, districts, regencies, cities, and provinces in our country. All parties must get involved in order to prompt the rise of national athletes.
It will raise awareness of the saying mens sana in corpore sano, which means a sound mind in a sound body, and create a culture of healthy competition in our society. Moreover, it will develop morale and winning mentality in all sport fields. I believe by promoting sport competition as a national movement, we will be a strong nation among countries in the world.
Last but not least, I wish all athletes the very best of luck in all of the competition. May you have a victory in this legendary West Java Province, and make your regions and Indonesia proud of your achievements.
By saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, I declare the 19th National Sports Week (PON XIX) open.
Thank you.
Wassalamualaikum warrahmatullahi wabarakaatuh.
Greetings, Sport Enthusiasts!(Humas Setkab) (HD/AW/YM/Naster)