West Papua is one of the provinces in Indonesia that is rich of culture and nature. The developments there are really amazing with the great social life too.
That is why; that province and the other places around were pointed as the hosts of the PON XX 2021 papua. This National Sport Week event was held from the 2-15 of October 2021.
Based on the event made, so many parties agree that the officials and the people involved have been making a great job. It can be said as a successful event as well.
The Lukas Enembe stadium is the main location which held the opening and closing ceremonies. For about 56 different sports were played by the athletes.
In the end, Central Java became the winner which got 133 gold medals. Papua itself is in the fourth position with 93 gold and that achievement is better than before.
From the PON event in west Papua and around, there are so many things that we can note. It is not only about the sports, but also more than that.
The Interesting Facts about the PON Event
From that national sports week, actually there are so many interesting things to know. Below are the lists of the facts which you have to know:
- E-sports were matched
For the first time in the history of pon, electronic sports matches were contested. E-sport entered pon XX Papua 2021 as an exhibition sport.
That was done by competing in e-Football PES 2021, Mobile Legends, and Free Fire, as well as an additional local game Lokapala as a friendly match.
- The legendary Lukas Enembe Stadium
The stadium specially prepared to welcome PON XX resembles the shape of “Honai” or west Papua traditional house. It also has a steel façade with traditional carvings.
The facilities presented have an international level. The concepts and philosophy lifted from the natural and cultural richness of that province.
This sports icon has a capacity of 40,000 spectators by meeting the FIFA and IAAF standards, accompanied by equipment brought directly from abroad so that it is olympic standard.
- The endemic animal as a mascot
The Mascot of PON Papua XX is also no less interesting. The tree kangaroo or “Kangpho” is one of the rare endemic animals whose population has declined by 80%.
It is especially since its discovery in 1990. The cenderawasih, or “Drawa” icon, is also a a protected animal because it is vulnerable to poaching or illegal trade.
According to the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism through its official Instagram, the existence of these two mascots is expected to provide an understanding of the natural diversity.
It is especially in the west Papua that should be maintained together by the Indonesian nation. The world is able to see the beauty of this province.
The Smart Strategies Used by the Officials
It can be said that the whole officials and parties who were involved are so creative. They used various different strategies to introduce this province to the world.
This national sports week is one of the ways to do that. One of those strategies is through the unique and full of philosophy merchandise.
The good which is used as a merchandise is known as Noken. Noken is an icon of local Papuan wisdom as a tool to carry items.
It looks like a bag that have been recognized by UNESCO as the Intangible Cultural Heritage. A total of 25,000 noken became the official souvenirs of PON XX for athletes and officials.
This souvenir was realized with bp pon collaboration with Papuan mamas who were also given a location to sell the noken. That could lift the local economy too.
It was the Late Event to Held in West Papua and Around
Similar to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, PON XX was supposed to be held last year. However, it had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reporting from the official page of the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism, in 2021 finally that event was held from October 2-15, 2021. It brought so much fun.
As for some sports started first such as Esports, men’s softball, water polo, baseball, wushu, and others. E-sports became so interesting as a brand new thing to be matched.
Because in the pandemic period, this event was organized with strict health protocols and safety rules. That way was successfully done and followed by all the people.
That is why; west Papua and the other places around which held that Sports week got the appreciations from so many parties. One of them was from the vice president.
The successful moment like that shows the harmonious cooperation between the whole parties. Those are like the officials, government, locals, and even the journalists.
The high appreciations were given to all the participants and for sure the athletes. It shows that west Papua and the other provinces in Indonesia are ready to create the huge event.
