Banjarmasin, S Kalimatan (ANTARA) - Governor of South Kalimantan H Sahbirin Noor released almost 500 athletes and officials for the XXI National Sports Week (PON) Aceh-North Sumatra 2024 on Wednesday.
He said South Kalimantan's athetes must have the fighting spirit of Prince Antasari "Haram manyarah, waja sampai ka puting" (Never give up, fight till the end).
The Governor advised the contingent to keep upholding local customs "where the earth is stepped on, there the sky is upheld," by behaving well in other people's regions.
"Show your abilities, but uphold sportmanship," said the Governor.
He also prayed that the entire contingent would be safe from leaving, competing until returning home with pride and achievements.
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Meanwhile, Head of the Provincial Youth and Sports Office H Hermansyah said that South Kalimantan contingent consisted of 480 athletes and officials.
"This is thanks to the Governor's wish that all athletes dispatched, no one left, all encourage each other," he said.
Contingent Leader H Gusti Perdana Kusuma said that South Kalimantan competes in 42 sports in PON 2024.
The Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI) South Kalimantan chapter official said the athletes were very ready to compete to grab achievements for the region proud.
"Our target is to be better than the previous PON," he said.
He advised athletes who participated in the match in Aceh, especially female athletes, to follow the rule of the sharia region.
"So, don't wear shorts even if you only down to the hotel lobby, must follow the local provisions," he explained.
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