KONI completes the first stage of vaccination for PON athletes from Papua

The Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI) Papua Province claims to have completed the first stage of COVID-19 vaccination for athletes who will take part in the 20th National Sports Festival (MO) from 2.-15. October.

Meanwhile, the second phase of athlete vaccination is still ongoing, KONI Papua's medical coordinator, Dr. Billy Heumese notified ANTARA by telephone on Sunday.

"The second phase of vaccination is still ongoing in Jayapura and training centres," he said.

He said the Papua Province KONI would recapitulate the number of athletes who received the first and second vaccinations for COVID-19.

"Some (athletes) cannot be vaccinated because they have a history of illness and are recovering," he said.

Some of them also do not meet the vaccination requirements because of comorbidities. Therefore, they need medical treatment first, he said.

"Our goal is to vaccinate the host athletes before the national PON matches," he said.

The PON National Sports Festival will take place in Jayapura City and Jayapura, Mimika, and Merauke Regencies from October 2 to 15, while the next Paralympics (Peparnas) will be held from November 2 to 15.

At least 6,400 athletes and 3,500 officials from 34 provinces throughout Indonesia are expected to attend the Papua National Sports Festival with 37 events.

Meanwhile, 1,935 athletes and 740 officials will compete in the National Para Games in Jayapura City and Jayapura Regency, which consists of 12 sports.

To ensure the safety of the athletes and officials involved in the MO National Games and National Para Games, President Joko Widodo has asked the relevant authorities to vaccinate all athletes.

According to the Minister of Youth and Sports Zainudin Amali, the head of state has also ordered that residents living around all sporting event venues and sports villages be vaccinated.

SOURCE: https://polressidrap.com/koni-selesaikan-vaccination-stage-pertama-atlet-pon-asal-papua/