Jokowi Inaugurates 18 Venues for 2024 National Sports Week in Aceh

Banda Aceh, The Gulf Observer: President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) officially inaugurated 18 sports venues for the 2024 Aceh-North Sumatra National Sports Week (PON) on Monday. The venues, either newly constructed or rehabilitated, are spread across Aceh Province, with the total budget amounting to Rp811 billion (US$52.6 million). The inauguration ceremony, held at H. Dimurthala Stadium in Banda Aceh, was observed via a video broadcast from Jakarta.

During his address, President Jokowi highlighted the significance of the renovation and construction efforts, which have been underway since 2023. The venues, located in Banda Aceh City, Aceh Besar District, Pidie District, and Central Aceh District, are part of the government’s broader commitment to supporting the 2024 PON, the first such event to be co-hosted by Aceh and North Sumatra.

“I urge regional governments to take good care of these venues and utilize them effectively. We must ensure they do not sit idle or abandoned after the 21st PON concludes on September 20,” Jokowi remarked. He emphasized the importance of professional management to maintain the facilities and maximize their usage for future sporting events, both nationally and internationally.

The president also called on local officials to use the venues as platforms for developing future sports stars. “These facilities should be hubs for training local athletes, preparing them for competitions at the national and global levels,” he added.

Following the inauguration, Jokowi triggered a siren to officially open the venues and personally inspected the H. Dimurthala Stadium.

The 2024 PON is set to attract over 13,000 athletes from across Indonesia, including participants from the newly established Papuan provinces and Nusantara Capital City. Athletes will compete in 65 sports across 20 districts and cities in both Aceh and North Sumatra, with some events already underway due to the length of certain competitions.

The official opening ceremony will take place this evening, marking a historic moment for Aceh and North Sumatra as they co-host the prestigious national sporting event.