BANDA ACEH | ACEH INFO – Plh Regional Secretary (Sekda) Aceh, Azwardi, invites journalists covering the activities of the National Sports Week (PON) XXI Aceh-North Sumatra region to report positive things about Aceh.
According to him, the role of the media is so important to inform Aceh’s advantages to the guests of the national event.
This was conveyed by Azwardi when opening the official PON XXI press workshop 2024 Aceh region, at the Grand Nanggroe Hotel, Monday, September 2, 2024.
Azwardi said, the implementation of PON in Aceh is also a momentum to introduce Aceh to people from all over Indonesia who come as athletes, officials and officials from various provinces.
Plh Secretary Invites PON Coverage Journalists to Report Positive Things About Aceh
Azwardi said, his party continues to work hard so that Aceh achieves 4 success as host. The four successes are successful organization, successful achievement, administrative success and economic success.
“The success of this PON is the spirit of the Acehnese people, so we must be ready as hosts,” said Azwardi.
Meanwhile, Head of Media Services Sub Division of Promotion and Marketing PB PON Aceh region, Saifullah Abdulgani, reported that the coverage workshop was attended by three groups. First, professional journalists from various journalist organizations and participate independently.
Then, coverage officers from the Office of Communication and Information in 10 districts / cities hosting PON in Aceh. And the third was followed by public relations circles of local government and TNI / Polri and ministries of institutions in Aceh.
“This training is not to teach, but a variety of experiences with a number of speakers who have covered the Asean game and PON Papua sports events,” Saifullah said.
Fire Kirab PON XXI Arrives in North Aceh, Welcomed by Ceremony
The Acting Regent of North Aceh, Mahyuzar, led the welcoming ceremony for the 2024 Aceh-North Sumatra National Sports Week (PON) XXI flame cavalcade, taking place at the Landing ceremony field, Lhoksukon, on Tuesday, September 3, 2024.
The PON fire was carried by a group of 21 runners, arriving at the eastern border of North Aceh Regency, namely in Panton Labu City, on Monday evening, September 2, 2024. In heavy rain conditions, the group headed to Lhoksukon City and took a short break to perform Maghrib prayers.
After Maghrib, the group headed to the North Aceh Regent’s Office in Landing and a simple welcoming procession was held with a dinner. The dinner was held in the main lobby of the Regent’s Office, attended by all PON participants, both athletes and official and support teams.
Then, today, the PON fire ceremony was held at the Landing ceremony field led directly by Pj Regent Mahyuzar. Acting as ceremony officer Ainul Hamdi and ceremony commander Fuad Cahyadi.
While the carrier of the PON fire was carried by a legendary athlete from Cot Girek, North Aceh, named Supriono, a former javelin throwing athlete who had won several gold medals at PORA events. Supriono has also strengthened the Aceh PON Contingent, and is currently listed as a teacher at SMA Negeri 1 Baktiya.
Also present at the ceremony were North Aceh Forkopimda officials, including North Aceh Police Chief AKBP Nanang Indra Bakti, Head of the Lhoksukon District Court Ngatemin, Dandim 0103/Aceh Utara Lieutenant Colonel Kav Makhyar and Head of the North Aceh District Attorney Teuku Muzafar.
Also present were the Secretary of KONI North Aceh Nazaruddin, Acting Secretary of North Aceh Dayan Albar, Assistant I Setdakab, Fauzan, Acting Assistant II Samsul Rizal, Assistant III Fauzan, Head of the Youth, Sports and Tourism Office M Nasir, along with other Heads of SKPK, Sub-District Heads, Heads of Kabag and School Principals.
Also enlivened by students from schools on the national road track.
Pj Regent of North Aceh Mahyuzar, expressed his gratitude to the Aceh-Sumut PON XXI Fire Kirab Committee for choosing the North Aceh region as one of the areas crossed by the PON fire kirab.
“Let us together provide support for the implementation of the 21st Aceh-North Sumatra PON which takes place on September 8 to 20, 2024,” Mahyuzar said.
Mahyuzar also congratulated the committee and participants of the PON fire cavalcade who had carried the torch by traveling around 23 districts / cities in Aceh Province.
“Hopefully this PON fire torch will arrive at the PON opening venue in the capital city of Aceh Province. We all provide prayer support so that all of these processions can run safely and smoothly and complete their journey on September 6, 2024 at the Harapan Bangsa Stadium in Banda Aceh City,” he hoped.
Mahyuzar further said that North Aceh competed in two aerospace sports, namely gliding sports and paramotor sports, which were held at Malikussaleh Airport, Muara Batu District. Paramotor sports have even been going on since a few days ago, and have successfully gained as many as 2 gold medals for the Aceh Province contingent.
After the ceremony, the PON fire cavalcade then continued its convoy towards Lhokseumawe City. While crossing the national road between Landing and Shamtalira Bayu, the group was greeted enthusiastically by all levels of society and students who filled the roadside.
The PON fire was then welcomed by the Lhokseumawe City Government at the North Aceh-Lhokseumawe border, Syamtalira Bayu District area.
PON XXI Momentum to Revitalize Bandar Aceh
Exactly one week ahead Aceh will hold the biggest sports event in the country, the XXI Aceh-North Sumatra National Sports Week (PON). This national class Olympics will be presented in several cities in Aceh and North Sumatra (North Sumatra). This is the first time Aceh has had the opportunity to hold this biggest event after the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia.
Various preparations have been made by the Aceh Government which is fully supported by the Central Government. The existing venues are upgraded to national standards and some touch the international level. As in Banda Aceh, two stadiums, namely H Dimurthala, were upgraded to touch FIFA standards, as well as the Harapan Bangsa stadium which has long been untouched by major renovations is now an Olympic Standard Stadium ready to hold the opening ceremony of PON XXI.
In Pidie Regency there is the Blang Paseh Stadium which is the venue for the soccer branch for Group C and D. Likewise in the Gayo highlands, the horse racing venue in Takengon will present three sports, namely horse racing, triathlon and bridge. And there are several sports that are carried out in other districts / cities.
Moving on from the preparation, which according to PUPR Minister Basuki is almost 100% in the last week before the opening, shows how serious the committee is preparing all the needs of this event in the hope that it can be successful later. Even some matches such as soccer have been held at several available venues.
Economic Opportunities and Post PON Sustainability
Behind this festive event, of course, there are important outputs that must be able to have a positive impact on the economy in the community. The trade and service sectors were the most impacted during this event. Hotel and lodging rooms that boomed in occupancy levels became one of the most beneficiaries even long before the event began.
The transportation service sector is no less crowded to receive orders, the business sector of coffee shops, cafes, catering and restaurants that are over ordered, and there are many more economic benefits obtained by community businesses in Aceh. Of course, with professional management, community business efforts can continue to grow by utilizing the momentum of PON.
The post PON sustainability effect is an expectation that should be targeted by the parties. Starting from the community at the grassroots level to the highest level of government in Aceh. Opportunities to maintain the rhythm of the post PON atmosphere in Aceh must be created by the parties in Aceh. The implementation of the important strategy is now, where comfortable, friendly and informative services to PON guests will become a collective memory for guests to be able to tell their families and communities in their respective places so that they do not hesitate to travel to Aceh.
The word safe and comfortable in various tourist spots with public area facilities available with a wide range should be a reason why you should travel to Aceh. It is hoped that the synergy of the community and government to foster a tourism climate in Aceh must continue to be developed after PON.
Don’t let PON pass but the vibe is also lost like no big event has ever happened in Aceh. The enthusiasm of citizens in welcoming PON XXI must be maintained. The benefits and benefits obtained are not only for the organizers, but every element of society should be able to benefit from the implementation of PON after closing later.