TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A virtual meeting between House of Representatives' (DPR) Commission X and the Ministry of Youth and Sports (Menpora) on Tuesday, April 14, concluded that the Papua National Games (PON) 2020, which was initially slated for October, will be postponed.

“We agreed to postpone the Papua PON due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As for the games’ new schedule will be decided by the Menpora after they consult it with the president,” said DPR's chief of Commission X Syaiful Huda on Wednesday, April 15.

The Sports and Youth Minister, Zainudin Amali, revealed several crucial considerations that backed their decision to postpone the national event. The uncertain development of the global pandemic and when it is likely to settle have hampered all of the preparation of the sporting event, including in preparing the venues in time and in procuring the sports equipment.

This is due to the fact that Papua has limited access to logistics delivery since the pandemic hit Indonesia. "Delivery of logistics and other items are all delayed,” said Syaiful Huda.

The COVID-19 pandemic also hampered the athletes' preparedness for the event.

The meeting also discussed the refocusing of the sports ministry's budget. Huda said that the House's Commission X suggested the Rp270 billion budget for the Papua PON 2020 be re-allocated for athletes, officials, and other aspects within the authority of the Sports and Youth Ministry that have their livelihoods affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

IRSYAN HASYIM