Manpora Appreciates Jakarta for Sending Most Athletes to POMNas XVIII

Youth and Sports Minister (Manpora), Ario Bimo Nandito Ariotedjo, appreciated Jakarta for sending the most athletes to the National Student Sports Week XVIII (POMNas), South Kalimantan which took place from November 12 to 22, 2023.

I appreciate it

According to him, provinces that send the most athletes are an indicator of the high level of concern and focus of local governments in seeing the potential of sports.

"As far as I know, the provinces with the most athletes at POMNas XVIII are Jakarta, Central Java, and East Java. I appreciate it," he expressed, during the opening ceremony of POMNas XVIII, in the courtyard of the South Kalimantan Governor's Office, Banjarbaru, Wednesday (11/15) night.

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He wanted sports to be an incentive for students on campuses throughout Indonesia.

"Perhaps it could be substituted for credits or other added value. The ministry together with the LPDP is also committed to providing scholarships for outstanding students," he explained.

He also appreciated the South Kalimantan Governor, Sahbirin Noor, and his staff who had prepared the facilities and infrastructure for holding POMNas XVIII well.

"POMNas competes in 16 sports from the previous 14. It has an important meaning in preparing Indonesian athletes for the ASEAN University Games which will take place next year in Surabaya," he expressed.

Jakarta Dispora Secretary, Hendra Eka Permana admitted he was grateful, as based on the update up to November 15 at 7.15 Central Indonesian Time (WITA), Jakarta was still leading the medal tally.

"Thank God, we won 15 gold, 15 silver, and five bronze medals. Meanwhile, the second place is Central Java Province with nine gold, 11 silver, and seven bronze medals," he explained.

He asked all athletes to continue to be enthusiastic and not to be complacent because there are still a few days left for POMNas XVIII.

"We have to maximize the resources we have that is as many as 248 people. Hopefully, Jakarta can win the General Champion title again," he added.

As for the information, the ceremonial opening of POMNas XVIII was directly executed by Youth and Sports Minister, Ario Bimo Nandito Ariotedjo together with South Kalimantan Governor, Sahbirin Noor.

In this opening event, there are visuals of a variety of local wisdom and Indonesian dances and became even more lively with the performance of artist Putri Ariani and the fireworks party.

There are 2,729 athletes from 36 provinces competed in 209 numbers from 16 sports.

Reporter: Folmer