Irian Jaya sends 220 athletes for PON

Irian Jaya sends 220 athletes for PON

JAYAPURA (JP): The Irian Jaya sports council has decided to
send 220 athletes and 224 officials to the 15th National Games
(PON) in Surabaya, East Java, council spokesman Steven Dumbon
said.

Steven said the contingent would include Irian Jaya Governor
Freddy Numberi, the state minister of administrative reforms, the
provincial secretary, the council's chairman and his deputies,
regents, their secretaries, regency councilors and their wives.

"Each of the sport officials and provincial officials will pay
their own transportation and accommodation fees during their stay
in Surabaya. Papua's sports council will just provide the
apparel," he told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.

The House of Representatives is expected to officially change
the province's name to Papua.

Steven said the officials' presence would boost the athletes'
motivation to win the national event. (eba)