Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The 2028 National Sports Week (PON) will primarily feature Olympic sports, Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI) Chairman Marciano Norman said on Sunday (3/11/2024).

The event, set to take place in East Nusa Tenggara and West Nusa Tenggara, aims to raise standards and align with Indonesia's global aspirations.

“We’re shifting the focus of PON to Olympic sports, so there will be fewer events,” he said, as quoted by antaranews.com. 

Marciano explained that only athletes meeting certain quality benchmarks will participate, highlighting the event’s refined approach.

While PON 2028 will emphasize Olympic disciplines, KONI will continue supporting non-Olympic sports through specialized events like the Indonesia Martial Art Games, Indonesia Beach Games, Indonesia Indoor Games, and Indonesia Youth Games, held biennially in local regions.

Marciano emphasized the need to improve sports governance nationally. 

“If athletes perform well at the local level, we’ll see the best competing at the provincial level and ultimately, producing top-level champions for PON,” he added. 

KONI’s goal is to assure PON produces athletes who meet international standards, he said, underscoring the committee's commitment to excellence.

(mg/inp/pr/nm)