KONI North Sumatra Steps Up Athlete Development Ahead of 2026 Provincial Sports Week (Porprovsu)
The Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI) of North Sumatra (Sumut) is intensifying athlete development through the Intensive Development Program (PPI) in the run-up to the 2026 Provincial Sports Week (Porprovsu).
This program is part of North Sumatra’s preparations to maintain the results achieved during the 22nd National Sports Week (PON) in 2028.
LATEST NEWS: The 2026 Flower and Fruit Festival Was Bursting with Energy
The Chairman of KONI North Sumatra, retired TNI Colonel Hatunggal Siregar, stated that the 2026 Porprovsu—scheduled for November of next year—is one of the major sporting events taking place during KONI North Sumatra’s current tenure.
Consequently, his team is aiming for athlete performances comparable to those achieved by North Sumatra during the 21st National Games (PON) held in Aceh and North Sumatra in 2024.
“We are currently preparing for the North Sumatra Provincial Sports Week. This is the biggest event during our term at KONI North Sumatra. The performance targets for the athletes are certainly comparable to those of the 21st National Games,” said Hatunggal during a press conference held by the North Sumatra Communication and Informatics Office in the Dekranasda lobby of the North Sumatra Governor’s office.
He explained that KONI North Sumatra began implementing the PPI program in June 2026. The program focuses on sports in which athletes won gold, silver, or bronze medals at the 21st National Games in Aceh, North Sumatra, in 2024, and who are set to compete again in the 22nd National Games.
LATEST NEWS: The 2026 Flower and Fruit Festival Was Bursting with Energy
In its initial phase, the PPI (Integrated Development Program) involved 131 athletes across 18 individual sports. Efforts are being made to develop talented North Sumatran athletes at an early stage, ensuring they can continue to represent their region in preparation for the 22nd National Games.
“Ideally, all sports would be included in this PPI, but due to budget constraints, we are currently focusing on individual sports rather than team sports. We aim to develop and retain North Sumatran athletes so they do not leave for other provinces, and we are starting preparations early for the 22nd National Games in 2028,” the spokesperson stated.
The 2026 North Sumatra Provincial Sports Week (Porprovsu) is expected to feature 28 sports. According to the outcomes of the North Sumatra KONI working meeting (Raker) held in December 2025, a key requirement for a sport to be included in the Porprovsu is participation by at least 50% plus one of the branch committees (pengcab) from across North Sumatra’s districts and cities—meaning a minimum of 17 pengcab or pengkot (city-level branch committees) must participate.
District and city-level KONI chapters are also encouraged to participate in the 2026 Porprovsu. To date, the North Sumatra KONI has established 16 district/city KONI chapters, including those for North Nias and West Nias.
LATEST NEWS: Repairs to Helvetia Pasar 9 Road Confirmed for August
“We are also focusing on the Nias district because we want to recruit athletes—however young—to participate in the North Sumatra Provincial Games (Porprovsu). We are also implementing the PPI (Sports and Recreation) program in Nias. There is an athlete named Kevin who won silver at the SEA Games,” said Hatunggal.
In addition to coaching, elite athletes receive ongoing attention through the awarding of prizes. The Governor of North Sumatra, Muhammad Bobby Afif Nasution, is known for seriously supporting athlete development, including by presenting awards to North Sumatran athletes who excel at the SEA Games.
“North Sumatra is currently experiencing a sporting boom. On one hand, the Governor places great emphasis on coaching and rewards for athletes. On the other, North Sumatra finished fourth at the 21st National Games in Aceh and North Sumatra, and third at the SEA Games. Of the 35 participating athletes, 30 won a medal,” Hatunggal stated.
Hatunggal added that the National Sports Committee of North Sumatra (KONI) organizes various sports events every month to raise public awareness of the 2026 Porprovsu. This initiative also serves as preparation to sustain North Sumatra’s success at the 22nd National Games.
LATEST NEWS: North Sumatra introduces ban on e-cigarettes
“We will strive to maintain our performance levels during the 22nd National Sports Week (PON XXII)—which, according to the KONI coordination meeting, will take place in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) and West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), with Jakarta serving as a supporting host city. We aim to sustain our performance—perhaps not quite matching the 100% level of the 21st PON, but coming close—given that some of our top sports disciplines will not be participating in the upcoming PON,” he said. ***REL
