KONI chairman pays courtesy call to VP

Jakarta. Vice President (Vice President) Jusuf Kalla received the National Sports Council (KONI) chairman, Tono Suratman, along with the organization’s board member for the period 2015 to 2019 at his office today (Feb 9).

Mr Suratman at the ocassion reported to the Vice President the progress of preparations for the coming three important sports events, ie the 9th National Games (PON) in 2016, the 2nd National Games for Teens (PON Remaja) in 2017, and the Asian Games in 2018.

Venues and management for the 19th PON that will be held in Bandung, West Java, he said, has been 94 percent ready. Previously, he added, the PON was slated to be held on September 9-21. Yet, considering the dates coincide with the celebration of Muslim festive days Eid Adha, it is changed to be on September 17-29.

“We cordially invite you to formally close the event as the President will officially open it,” he told Mr Kalla.

The second PON Remaja, Mr Suratman continued, is slated to be in July 2017 in Semarang, Central Java Province, which is during school holidays.

Regarding the Asian Games 2018, he said, KONI has made some recommendations to the Asian Games’ Task Force on the standardization of sports facilities and on how to improve athletes’ performance.

In response, the Vice President hoped for the country’s success in organizing the event as well as in participating in the games.

“We want to repeat our success in hosting and winning the Asian Games 54 years ago. This definitely needs a long development program. There is no such an instant process in sports,” he said.

Mr Kalla is also pleased about PON Remaja as this is believed able to promote healthy life style.

“More teenagers nowadays are busy with their (electronic) gadgets. This is a good movement to get them move,” he said, adding that exercise is a vital element in making people stay healthy.