PON XXI 2024 in Two Provinces Accelerates Equalization of Athlete Achievements

Jakarta, Todaysgist.com – The 21st National Sports Week (PON) 2024 will be held in two provinces, namely Aceh and North Sumatra (Sumut) on 8-20 September 2024. This aims to accelerate the equalization of athlete achievements.

Deputy Secretary General of the Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI) Center Ahmad Saefudin said, by making a joint host, it is hoped that athlete development in each region can be more balanced and even.

“The coaching is more balanced because it involves venues and athletes. The sporting event will roll and have an extraordinary impact,” he said in a dialogue themed “Theme of PON XXI Aceh-North Sumatra 2024: Momentum of Unity in Progress”, virtually, Monday (29/7/2024).

He said the joint host of PON XX will also ease the burden on the organizers, starting from the budget, preparation, to the construction of other supporting infrastructure. “Two provinces as organizers so that the burden is not too much on one region, as well as to accelerate the regions to become organizers,” he said.

Saefudin explained that the 2024 XXI PON is estimated to involve around 21,000 athletes and official of all the sports competed. This number reflects how big and important this sporting event is for Indonesia.

On the same occasion, the Deputy for Improving Sports Achievements of the Ministry of Youth and Sports (Kemenpora) Surono said that the XXI PON Aceh-North Sumatra was a selection and preparation event for Indonesian athletes to face international competitions.

“The closest, PON XXI Aceh-North Sumatra will be used for the selection of the 2025 SEA Games Thailand. After that there will be the Asian Games, also the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles,” he said.

He explained that with 65 sports being competed, PON XXI Aceh-North Sumatra is a comprehensive selection event, even though there are several sports that cannot be included in international events.

Currently, the Olympics in Paris, France, feature 33 sports. Meanwhile, the SEA Games feature around 40 sports.