Cultural interaction opens West Java Provincial Sports Week 2026 to acclaim
Bekasi (ANTARA) – A cultural exchange blending Sundanese and Betawi traditions successfully opened the 15th West Java Provincial Sports Week (Porprov) 2026 at Patriot Candrabhaga Stadium in Bekasi, captivating thousands of enthusiastic spectators from the outset.
The thunder of Sundanese rampak kendang drums combined dynamically with Betawi music, accompanying ronggeng and jaipong dances in a medley of West Javanese regional songs. The performance underscored the cultural blend as a unifying force for thousands of athletes representing the Pasundan region.
“Art and sport are one. This Porprov is an opportunity to strengthen brotherhood, unity and mutual cooperation in building West Java,” Governor Dedi Mulyadi said as he opened the event in Bekasi on Saturday.
He said he had enjoyed the opening ceremony’s strong ethnic and cultural influences at West Java’s largest sporting event, held every four years, and noted that spectators had stayed to enjoy the programme through to its conclusion.
The sporting festival, he said, was intended to bring happiness to the public, including residents of host city Bekasi, while generating benefits across various areas of life.
“Porprov brings benefits to the economy, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), parking attendants, motorcycle taxi drivers and traders. Everyone is celebrating tonight – it has a multiplier effect. Enjoy the competition and be true champions without cheating, because sport teaches sportsmanship,” he said.
Bekasi Mayor Tri Adhianto Tjahyono welcomed West Java’s athletes, who will compete representing their respective regional contingents.
He said he hoped the event would produce top West Javanese athletes capable of bringing distinction to the province at national and international multi-sport events, particularly as the province looks towards winning the overall title at the next National Sports Week (PON).
“Sport unites us despite our different cultures. We hope to succeed not only in staging the event and achieving sporting results, but also in the economy and in strengthening brotherhood,” he said.
Tri said the opening ceremony combined Sundanese and Betawi cultural influences with technology, including laser lights, drones and the main stage, as a representation of Bekasi as a progressive and competitive city.
“Bekasi continues to develop its Sport City, Sport Tourism mission, integrating sports facilities and generating multiplier effects, including for economic growth. One indicator of a region’s progress is the development of its sports sector,” he said.
West Java, which borders the capital Jakarta, is home to millions of Sundanese and Betawi people. The sporting event’s theme of unity through performance brought the two cultures together.