Governor flags off 111 South Kalimantan athletes to Papua PON

Banjarmasin, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - South Kalimantan Governor H Sahbirin Noor officiated the release of 111 athletes to compete in the XX Papua National Sports Week (PON).

The release of the South Kalimantan contingent in Mahligai Pancasila Building Banjarmasin on Thursday was also attended by the Chairman of DPRD H Supian HK, Chairman of the South Kalimantan branch of National Sports Committee (KONI) H Bambang Hari Purnama, and other regional leadership elements.

Head of South Kalimantan Youth and Sport Agency H Hermansyah said that not all the contingent members were present due to pandemic reasons.

However, he said, the Governor supported South Kalimantan KONI to dispatch 111 athletes to play in 25 sports to Papua PON.

According to him, the provincial government will always support South Kalimantan athletes to compete to win achievements there, with a target of 14 gold medals.

"Our slogan is haram menyerah waja sampai ke puting (forbidden to give up until the end)," he said.

Chairman of South Kalimantan KONI H Bambang Hari Purnama said all athletes were ready to compete to achieve achievements at the PON in Papua.

According to him, the athletes must be enthusiastic to achieve maximum results, so they can win more medals than the previous PON in West Java 2016.

He asked the athletes to take care of themselves and their health, so as not to expose to COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the Head of Achievement Development of the South KONI Gusti Perdana Kusuma said the contingent consisted of 111 athletes, 68 coaches, and an addition of a technical team.

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