MEDAN CITY - The West Java contingent is certain to secure the overall champion title of the 21st Aceh-North Sumatra National Sports Week (PON) 2024, while realizing West Java's hat-trick after successfully defending the overall champion title in three consecutive PON events.

Based on the medal acquisition data released by PB PON XXI Aceh-Sumut 2024, Friday (20/9/2024), until 12.00 WIB, the West Java contingent is firmly in first place with 195 gold medals, 163 silver, and 182 bronze.

West Java is ahead of its strong competitor DKI Jakarta which had to be satisfied with being in second place after collecting 184 gold medals, 150 silver, and 146 bronze. Followed by East Java in third place with 146 gold medals, 134 silver, and 141 bronze.

The General Chairperson of KONI West Java, Muhammad Budiana, said that he was grateful to Allah SWT because at the 2024 PON, the West Java contingent was able to surpass other provinces in the medal tally at the last second and win the overall champion title.

This result is the noble ideal of the people of West Java, especially the amateur sports community under the auspices of KONI Jabar until finally West Java was able to achieve a hat-trick of champions at PON XXI Aceh-Sumut 2024.

According to Budiana, this overall championship achievement was not achieved instantly or immediately, but this was the result of continuous sports achievement coaching carried out by KONI Jabar, provincial sports branch administrators, KONI districts/cities, and also support from the Governor of West Java, DPRD, and others.

"So that West Java can consecutively become the overall champion since PON XIX/2016 West Java, PON XX/2020 Papua, and now PON XXI/2024 Aceh-North Sumatra," said Budiana, Friday (20/9).

PORPROV qualifying round

Budiana added that the achievements that have been achieved should not stop or be quickly satisfied because next in West Java there will be a qualifying round for the Provincial Sports Week (PORPROV).

PORPROV will be held in 2026 in three regions, namely Depok, Bogor City, and Bekasi Regency.

PORPROV is an event to select athletes who will later be prepared for PON XXII NTB-NTT 2028.

He said that athletes from PORPROV will later replace senior athletes because naturally, athletes will have what is called a peak performance limit.

Thus, current athletes who will compete in single and multi-event sports championships have reserve athletes who have been prepared so that coaching can continue.

"Thank you, thank you, I say to 1,260 athletes, 300 coaches, mechanics, managers, sports leaders, and KONI districts/cities," said Budiana.

"The West Java contingent is strengthened by 2,000 people under the guidance of Acting Governor Pak Bey Machmudin and the Head of CdM (Chef de Mission) who is also the West Java Police Chief Inspector General Pol Akhmad Wiyagus, who has led the West Java troops until they were finally able to achieve a hat-trick of overall champions at PON XXI/2024 Aceh-North Sumatra," he concluded.