Jakarta Steps Up to the Plate as PON 2028’s Support System
Reported by Fakhrizal Fakhri | Translated by Nugroho Adibrata
Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has affirmed the Jakarta government’s readiness to support the hosting of the National Sports Week (PON) XXII 2028 in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) and West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).
Jakarta is ready to provide full support
This support encompasses the provision of venues, transportation, and accommodation to ensure the smooth operation of the national sporting event.
Pramono expressed this commitment after attending a coordination meeting with Youth and Sports Minister Erick Thohir, NTT Governor Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena, and NTB Governor Lalu Muhamad Iqbal in Jakarta.
Jakarta Youth and Sports Agency Kicks Off Youth Creativity Forum 2026According to Pramono, thorough preparation is key to ensuring that the implementation of PON proceeds in accordance with President Prabowo Subianto's directives.
“Based on past experiences, if the hosting of PON is not well-prepared, we must ensure that we do not fail to carry out the President's instructions,” he expressed, Wednesday (6/24).
He emphasized that Jakarta is ready to serve as a support system without encroaching on the authority of either the central government or the host regions in determining sports disciplines or competition venues.
He went on to say that Jakarta possesses adequate sports infrastructure to support the hosting of PON. Currently, there are 36 centrally-owned venues—most of which are located in the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) complex—as well as approximately 220 venues spread across the five administrative cities.
"Even, there are new privately-owned venues available for volleyball, basketball, and tennis. That means, Jakarta is ready to provide full support,” he asserted.
Aside that, the Jakarta government keeps strengthening public transportation services. The Velodrome–Manggarai LRT Jakarta route is targeted to be operational by August, while the construction of MRT Jakarta continues toward Monas and Duta Merlin areas.
He added that the MRT, LRT, Transjakarta, Transjabodetabek, and Jaklingko networks will support the mobility of athletes, officials, and contingents from various regions.
“If any events are held in Jakarta, it will certainly facilitate the movement of regional contingents since flight access to Jakarta is more convenient,” he added.
Youth and Sports Minister Erick Thohir stated that the coordination meeting serves as an initial step to ensure all preparations for PON 2028 are conducted in a measurable and integrated manner.
According to him, the central and regional governments are continuously strengthening coordination to ensure that PON operates effectively and accountably, while supporting the advancement of national sports achievements following the National Sports Grand Design (DBON).
“We require that the 21 priority sports disciplines, as per the latest DBON, must be contested. We must re-map Indonesia's sporting achievements leading up to SEA Games, Asian Games, and Olympics in a sustainable way,” he said.
Following President Prabowo's directives, PON 2028 will prioritize the optimization and quality enhancement of existing sports facilities.
The government is also continuously revamping the national sports ecosystem, which includes improving athlete welfare through the reform of bonus systems, pension funds, and various other support programs.
"So, what needs to be done is the repair and optimization of existing venues to ensure budget efficiency. Inter-agency and institutional coordination will be further strengthened to ensure that PON XXII is successfully organized,” he emphasized.
