The National Sports Committee of Indonesia (KONI) of Yalimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province, held a Work Meeting (Raker) in Elelim on Friday (June 20, 2025). This event was part of a strategic effort to prepare the region’s participation in the 22nd National Sports Week (PON), which will be held in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) and West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). The meeting was attended by the Head of KONI Papua Pegunungan, KONI administrators at both the regency and district levels, the Regional Secretary, heads of regional offices, representatives from the TNI-Police, the Chairman of the Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRK), and representatives of the Indonesian Youth National Committee (KNPI).
In his address, the Chairman of KONI Yalimo, who is also the Regent of Yalimo, Dr. Nahor Nekwek, emphasized the importance of cross-level collaboration within KONI’s structure to ensure proper preparation of sports branches. He encouraged district-level KONI officials to be actively involved in identifying and nurturing sports potential in their respective areas. According to him, young people in villages and districts must be embraced so that sports become part of their character development and future prospects.
Nekwek underlined that promoting sports is not merely about physical activity but also part of the humanizing process. He called on all parties to begin thinking ahead about the direction and strategies for developing sports in Yalimo. He also expressed his gratitude for the presence and support of KONI Papua Pegunungan, noting that their involvement provides motivation for the advancement of local sports.
Furthermore, Nekwek invited all community elements to unite their spirit in developing the world of sports without division or discrimination. He encouraged the rise of a new, inclusive spirit with the goal of creating a healthy, competitive, and prideful sporting atmosphere.
Meanwhile, the Daily Chairman of KONI Papua Pegunungan, Anthonius Wetipo, stated that KONI Yalimo must harness and optimize all available resources to advance sports in the region. He encouraged collaboration between local youth and the government in identifying and nurturing promising sports branches as part of the preparations for the 22nd PON.
Wetipo also suggested that KONI Yalimo organize various local competitions such as regional sports weeks, the Regent’s Cup, boxing tournaments, pencak silat championships, and other sporting events as platforms for both athlete development and talent scouting. This initiative aligns with the vision and mission of the Regent of Yalimo to uplift the spirit of youth through sports.
In his closing remarks, Wetipo stated that his office had received several aspirations from KONI Yalimo and would forward them to the Governor of Papua Pegunungan and the Regional Youth and Sports Office as part of continued support for sports development in the area.
