Central Java Provincial Games Expected to Boost SMEs and Hotels in Five Areas
Semarang (ANTARA) — Central Java Deputy Governor Taj Yasin Maimoen hopes the 17th Central Java Provincial Sports Week (Porprov) in 2026 will stimulate economic activity, from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to the hotel sector, in five districts and cities across the province.
“The hope is that placing athletes across these five districts and cities can support their economies,” said the official, known as Gus Yasin, in Semarang on Wednesday.
He said the thousands of athletes, officials and match personnel involved represented a potential market for hotels, food businesses, transport services and SMEs.
Porprov XVII will run from 20 to 30 October 2026, involving 7,993 athletes and 1,910 officials, with support from 3,571 match personnel.
A total of 58 sports, with 810 events, will be held in Semarang City, Semarang Regency, Kendal, Demak and Salatiga City.
The accommodation needs of thousands of participants will be met by 106 hotels and guest houses across the five areas: 42 hotels in Semarang City, 25 in Kendal, 18 in Salatiga, 13 in Semarang Regency and eight in Demak.
Gus Yasin, who is also chair of the Central Java Porprov organising committee, said spreading athletes and officials across the five host areas was expected to ensure that economic activity was not concentrated solely in Semarang City, where the opening ceremony will take place.
In addition to accommodation, the Central Java provincial government is seeking to expand business opportunities for local SMEs by involving them in the opening and closing ceremonies and making use of crowds at the various competition venues.
“We are also inviting SME operators to take part in the activities we have announced,” he said.
The expected crowds were also evident ahead of the Porprov opening at Jatidiri Stadium in Semarang City on Sunday, 25 October, with all 3,500 free public tickets reportedly claimed on the first day they became available.
The opening ceremony will feature performers including Ndar Boy, Pertelon Koplo and Mikhayla, who are expected to draw visitors and create additional sales opportunities for traders and businesses around the venue.
Beyond its economic impact, Porprov XVII will also serve as a talent-scouting event to identify promising athletes to strengthen Central Java’s contingent for the 2028 National Sports Week (PON).
“Porprov will take our athletes to a higher level. Thankfully, this year many of our athletes have also won gold, silver and bronze medals, as demonstrated recently at the Asian Games,” he said.
Meanwhile, Urip Sihabudin, first deputy chair of the Central Java Porprov organising committee, said organisers had co-ordinated with subcommittees in the five host areas to prepare for non-technical problems during competitions, particularly the effects of bad weather at outdoor venues.
Each area has been asked to prepare contingency plans for disruptions such as rain and strong winds, taking into account experience from previous events.
The Porprov opening programme will begin with the Mrapen eternal flame ceremony in Grobogan Regency on 24 October 2026. The flame is scheduled to travel through four areas before arriving in Semarang City on 25 October 2026.