Jakarta Woodball Athletes to Compete in PON XXI Aceh - North Sumatra 2024

Jakarta Youth and Sports Agency (Dispora) Head, Andri Yansyah, officially released the Jakarta woodball athletes who will compete in National Sports Week (PON) Aceh - North Sumatra 2024.

That's why they have to focus

For the first time, woodball became an official sport and competed in the PON.

He highlighted the progress of woodball in Jakarta, which is becoming increasingly well-known and popular. Woodball is a new sport that requires a long struggle to be able to compete in PON.

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"I hope that we can formulate a strategy in the future so that woodball becomes a subject in schools. This is one of the efforts to improve woodball achievements not only at the PON level," he expressed, at Pullman Hotel, Menteng, Central Jakarta, Thursday (9/5).

He went on to say that the woodball athletes had a great honor to be able to take part in the PON. He was also optimistic that they could compete in international events such as the SEA Games Bangkok in Thailand in 2025.

"Insya Allah (God willing), there will be Jakarta athletes who will bring Indonesia's good name to the SEA Games next year," he continued.

As a sport that emphasizes accuracy, woodball demands focus and calm from its athletes.

"This is a sport that is against yourself, like archery, shooting, and golf. That's why they have to focus," he added.

He emphasized the importance of the role of parents in supporting athletes' careers. Therefore, the athlete's release was conducted by involving parents as a form of appreciation for their role in producing high-achieving athletes.

He added that two important moments made the red and white flag fly and the song Indonesia Raya resound, namely when the President visits a country and when an athlete wins a gold medal.

"This shows how big a role an athlete plays in uniting differences and reconciling divisions. Make the most of this opportunity," he added.

Jakarta athletes can carry the mandate of more than 10 million Jakarta residents who support them, including woodball athletes, to succeed in PON XXI Aceh - North Sumatra 2024 and other sporting events in the future.

"Make the most of this opportunity. Insya Allah, in 2025, they can become athletes who bring the name of Indonesia," he stressed.

Jakarta Branch Indonesia Woodball Association (IWBA)'s General Provincial Management Chair, Marulina Dewi uttered today is a historic moment for the sport of woodball in Jakarta and Indonesia.

For the first time, woodball officially competed in PON, and Jakarta successfully sent six athletes along with a supporting team consisting of coaches, assistant coaches, and managers, with a total of nine people.

"This is a historic day for woodball Jakarta, especially Indonesia because this is the first year woodball has been included as a sport in PON. Jakarta has successfully sent six athletes, one coach, one assistant coach, and one manager to participate in four of the seven-match numbers that will be held at PON Aceh - North Sumatra 2024," she explained.

She explained the readiness of the Jakarta team was inseparable from the long preparations that had been carried out, including months of training camps throughout 2024, after participating in the previous pre-PON. Based on the determination of KONI, Jakarta received a quota of five male athletes and one female athlete, as well as a team of coaches and managers.

Besides the training camp, the team also underwent a series of friendly match trials abroad, namely in Malaysia and Thailand, as well as practice matches in East Java.

"Hopefully, it will be an injection of enthusiasm for us to fight for PON and be able to present a gold medal for Jakarta. We're targeting two golds," she explained.

She added Jakarta will compete in four-match categories, namely, Women's Single Stroke, Men's Single Stroke, Fairway Team or men's group, and Men's-Women's Doubles. The leading numbers for the Jakarta team were the Women's Single Stroke, Men's Single Stroke, and the Fairway Team.

"With thorough preparation and full support from various parties, we hope that Jakarta's woodball athletes can perform optimally and bring home a gold medal for the capital city at the PON XXI Aceh - North Sumatra 2024," he stated.