VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Bambang Soesatyo expressed hope that the 20th PON National Games being held in Papua Province would strengthen the sense of nationhood and nationalism among Indonesians.

"There is a mutual relationship between sports and nationalism," he told journalists after attending the opening ceremony of Papua's PON National Games at the Lukas Enembe Stadium in Jayapura on Saturday evening.

Accompanied by Papua Governor Lukas Enembe, several ministers, and top state officials, President Joko Widodo officially opened the country's biggest multi-sport event on Saturday evening.

Sports have become parts of effective endeavors to instill an inclusive feeling of nationalism that has motivated Indonesian athletes to contribute to the nation's sports achievements, Soesatyo said.

The values of sportive spirit, honesty, struggling, endurance, and sincerity for obtaining greater good and nobility commonly found in sports are compatible with those in the sense of nationalism, he said.

In this regard, he highly appreciates the government's role, as shown by the Youth and Sports Ministry and Indonesian Sports Council (KONI), in strengthening the sense of nationhood and nationalism through sports.

"The convening of the Papua games has proven the government's commitment to implementing the principle of equality in regional developments, including an increase in infrastructure facilities outside Java," he said.

The government's scholarship schemes for athletes with prestigious achievements must also be appreciated and supported, he said, adding that more sporting events need to be integrated with other programs that could instill the sense of nationalism.

Papua has come under the spotlight of Indonesia's media outlets as it is hosting this year's PON National Games and National Para Games (Peparnas).

The PON is currently held in Jayapura City and the districts of Jayapura, Mimika, and Merauke from October 2 to October 15, while Peparnas will be held from November 2 to November 15.

At least 6,400 athletes and 3,500 officials from 34 provinces across Indonesia are reportedly participating in Papua's PON National Games, which feature 37 events.

Meanwhile, 1,935 athletes and 740 officials will take part in the National Para Games in Jayapura city and Jayapura district, which will feature 12 events. (Antaranews)