NTB to Request IDR 700 Billion from Central Government to Polish Venues for 2028 PON

The West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Provincial Government will request a budget of IDR 700 billion from the central government to polish venues ahead of the 2028 National Games (PON). Chairman of the Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI) of NTB, Mori Hanafi, confirmed this plan.

He stated that this substantial fund is not for building new facilities from scratch, but purely for revitalising existing sports venues in NTB. “Our focus is on polishing the Turide Sports Complex and its surrounding areas so they are fit to host the largest multi-sport event in Indonesia,” Mori said on Friday (26/6/2026).

Mori assessed that the proposed figure of IDR 700 billion is very rational. He noted that when compared to the previous PON XXI in Aceh-North Sumatra, the central government’s disbursement was far more fantastic. Furthermore, the Member of the House of Representatives Commission IV argued that NTB already possesses a good foundation. “It is sufficient, because the KONI Chairman previously said that the venues in NTB are world-class,” he added.

To ensure preparations run smoothly, Mori urged the Governor of NTB, Lalu Muhamad Iqbal, to move quickly in forming the Grand Organising Committee (PB) for PON 2028. He believes this tactical step is necessary to clarify the division of tasks, as KONI NTB does not want to be distracted by logistical matters for the event. “We want to focus 100 percent on training the athletes’ performance. So, we suggest the Governor immediately form the PB PON; whoever is chosen is up to the Governor. We encourage a local figure,” said the Chairman of the NasDem Party’s NTB Regional Leadership Council.

On a separate note, Mori addressed ripples of rejection from certain parties regarding NTB’s status as co-host alongside East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) and DKI Jakarta. He insisted that any criticism or rejection must be based on clear reasons and arguments, not just empty noise. He reminded critics that winning the bid to host PON was not an easy matter, requiring an extra struggle to convince the central government to place its full trust in the region. “If there are those who reject it, the reasons must be clear, don’t just reject for the sake of it,” he remarked.

Mori committed to using the remaining two years to train and develop athletes, asserting that NTB does not want to merely be spectators in their own home. “We are targeting a top-five position in the medal tally. We must be optimistic,” he concluded.