inp.polri.go.id – Mimika. As the host of 20th National Sports Week (PON XX) in Papua, Mimika Regency celebrates the PON XX Torch Relay event as the sign that Papua is ready to welcome PON by the arrival of the relay team, led by Armed Forces Brigadier General Iwan Setiawan, the Commander of 173/PVB Military Area, on Tuesday (28/9).
The arrival of Torch Relay team of PON XX Papua 2021 consisting of two groups: national and legendary athletes, such as Sintia Tri Kusuma, cyclist; Muhammad Bima Abdi Negara, table tennis athlete; Julius Uwe, legendary athlete of Mimika who once brought the torch of SEA Games; and Maria Natalia Londa, athletic athlete. There are core groups consists of Armed Forces-Police personnel and flying team of the PON Torch Relay.
The Mimika legendary athlete who brought the SEA Games torch, Julius Uwe, then handed the torch over to the Regent of Mimika, Eltinus Omaleng, accompanied by Deputy General Secretary of Head Committee of PON Papua, Karolus Boli. Then, the Tifa-shaped torch was lit. Afterwards, Omaleng ignites the PON torch to depart the PON XX Torch Relay team to continue the carnival in Timika city.
On this occasion, the Regent of Mimika, Eltinus Omaleng, said that Papuans, especially the Mimika people, are witnessing Papua’s history because Indonesia’s largest sports event is being held here.
“Papuans should be proud because the trust is given by the state to hold PON in the middle of anxiety of several stakeholders, moreover with the Covid-19 pandemic that hit Indonesia. The anxiety must be answered with the real proof that Papua could be a great host for all Indonesians”, Regent of Mimika said.
He then continued that National Sports Week held in Papua is not only the sports celebration but also to accelerate infrastructure development and even distribution of economic growth, mainly for Eastern Indonesia. Using the sportive spirit, he encouraged the Papuans to show the country that Papua also could be a great host in holding PON, which is the first to be held outside Java and Sumatra islands.
Regent of Mimika, Eltinus Omaleng, said that the flame of PON that arrived in Mimika represents the spirit, bravery, and responsibilities of all Papuans, so they are obliged to make PON XX commencement in Papua a success.
