PAC uses Jakarta Athletics League to boost youth athlete experience for national regeneration

JAKARTA (ANTARA) – The Papua Athletics Center (PAC) is using the Jakarta Athletics League 2026 as a platform to build competitive experience for young Papua athletes, aiming for sustainable national athletics regeneration. ‘They’re not just training—they’re gaining sufficient competitive experience to ensure our athletics regeneration is truly sustainable,’ said PB PASI General Secretary Jodi Mahardi in a statement received in Jakarta on Wednesday. Jodi added that the young PAC athletes’ success in winning gold and competing in the national top eight proves the decentralised training model in Mimika is structured and effective. PAC secured three medals—one gold and two silver—at the Student Athletics Invitational and Jakarta Athletics League 2026 held at Rawamangun Athletics Stadium in East Jakarta from 22 to 24 May. The results placed PAC eighth in the final standings. Gold was won by Demianus Yenjau, a young runner from Tambrauw Regency in Southwest Papua, who clocked 6 minutes 12.37 seconds in the U-16 boys’ 2,000m event. Silver medals were claimed by Yusuf Manakopeyau from Mimika Regency in Central Papua, with a long jump of 6.14m in the U-18 boys’ event, and Imanuel Yewen from Sorong in Southwest Papua, who ran the U-18 boys’ 3,000m in 9 minutes 42.40 seconds. Beyond the medals, the competition served as a learning opportunity for PAC athletes to gain national-level competition experience. Yusuf, who joined PAC’s training centre on 5 January 2026, not only took silver in the long jump but also made his debut in the U-18 boys’ shot put, finishing fifth with a throw of 10.84m. Claus Wamafma, Director and Executive Vice President of Sustainable Development at PT Freeport Indonesia, praised the young PAC athletes’ determination and performance. He said Yusuf’s achievements show the PAC training process is positively impacting athletes’ technical and competitive mental development. ‘Athletes like Yusuf Manakopeyau competing strongly in new events demonstrate the effectiveness of PAC’s training. Regular competitions will further enhance their technical skills and competitive mindset,’ Claus added. Claus also stated PT Freeport Indonesia, in collaboration with PB PASI, is committed to nurturing Papua’s young talent to compete internationally. The Jakarta Athletics League 2026 serves as the opening series of Jakarta’s student athletics competitions. PAC is scheduled to compete in the second series in July 2026 and the third in November 2026. PAC is a decentralised athletics training centre in Mimika, established through a partnership between PB PASI and PT Freeport Indonesia. The programme was created to develop national athletic potential and expand regional athlete development access via intensive training, quality facilities, and ongoing mentorship.