The largest and most prestigious multi-sport event in Indonesia is the National Sports Week (Pekan Olahraga Nasional or PON). This event involves thousands of athletes from various provinces across Indonesia.

PON 2024 will take place from September 9-25, 2024, in Aceh and North Sumatra. Let’s check out more interesting facts about PON (National Sports Week), Sob!

1. Understanding PON and Its History of Development

According to history, the first Pekan Olahraga Nasional (PON) was held in 1948 in the city of Surakarta, Central Java. Solo was chosen as the host city for this event because it was considered to have sufficient facilities to host the largest sports event of that time.

The event took place at the Sriwedari Stadium, and on September 9, 1948, PON was officially opened by President Soekarno. Since then, this date has been celebrated as National Sports Day (Hari Olahraga Nasional) to honor Indonesia's sports heroes.

In 1951, the second PON was held at the Ikatan Atletik Djakarta (Ikada) field in Jakarta, now known as the Monas area. That year, 18 sports were contested. Unlike the previous event, PON II had more participants, with contingents from Maluku, Kalimantan, Sumatra, and several regions in Java. In 1959, the Indonesian government officially decided to hold PON every four years.

2. An Event Featuring Dozens of Sports Disciplines

Source: tempo.co

For the 2024 edition, PON carries the theme "XXI Aceh-Sumut 2024". This year’s PON will be exciting and lively, with dozens of sports contested. In Aceh, there will be 33 sports with 42 disciplines and 510 events. A total of 5,636 athletes and 2,752 officials will be present in Aceh for PON 2024. Meanwhile, in North Sumatra, there are 34 sports with 46 disciplines and 528 events, involving 6,281 athletes and 3,140 officials.

The sports contested in PON 2024 include:Aero Sport, Fencing, Weightlifting, Powerlifting, Rafting, Baseball/Softball, Horse Riding, Basketball, Handball, Bridge, Rowing, Hapkido, Judo, Kempo, Korfball, Kurash, Sailing, Shooting, Muaythai, Archery, Rock Climbing, Petanque, Rugby, Diving, Surfing, Football, Sepak Takraw, Roller Skating, Soft Tennis, Tarung Derajat, Tennis, Triathlon, and Woodball.

3. Involving Two Provinces Simultaneously

Source: komparatif.id

Unlike previous years, which were held in a single province, the 21st edition of Pekan Olahraga Nasional (PON) has chosen two provinces as the host for the most prestigious sports competition in Indonesia. The two provinces selected as hosts for PON are Aceh and North Sumatra.

PON 2024 in Aceh will be held in Banda Aceh, Central Aceh, Pidie, Aceh Besar, and West Aceh.

Meanwhile, in North Sumatra, several locations that will host PON 2024 include Medan, Deli Serdang, Toba, Karo, Samosir, and Serdang Bedagai.

Oh yes, during the Pekan Olahraga Nasional (PON) XXI, besides fostering love for sports, there are other positive impacts such as creating job opportunities, opening new connections, and boosting the economy in Aceh and North Sumatra.

After enjoying the exciting matches at the Pekan Olahraga Nasional (PON) XXI, stop by some of the interesting destinations in Aceh and North Sumatra.

1. Learning the History of the Hero of Serambi Mekkah at the Cut Nyak Dien Museum

Source: tripadvisor.co.id

The Cut Nyak Dien Museum is located in Lampisang Village, Peukan Bada District, Aceh Besar Regency. This museum preserves the long history of her resistance against Dutch colonization.

When you visit the museum, you will be presented with various remnants of Cut Nyak Dien's legacy displayed in several rooms. These include photographs of Cut Nyak Dien, a photo of her husband Teuku Umar, as well as various typical Acehnese weapons.

According to historical sources, this museum is not the original building but a replica designed to resemble the original structure. According to local stories, the house was burned down by the Dutch in 1896, and it was rebuilt in 1981 and officially inaugurated by the Minister of Education and Culture, Fuad Hasan, in 1987.

For those planning to visit, the museum is approximately 9 km from the center of Banda Aceh, and the journey takes about 15 minutes.

2. Tracing the Legacy of the Deli Sultanate at Maimun Palace

Source: muslimahnews.net

If you're watching the PON 2024 matches in Medan, don't forget to take some time to explore the city's interesting destinations. One of the fascinating landmarks you can visit is Maimun Palace.

As is known, Maimun Palace was built during the reign of the Deli Sultanate. Historically, this palace was constructed by Sultan Ma'mun Al Rashid Perkasa Alamsyah, who ruled the Deli Kingdom from 1873 to 1924.

The building spans 2,772 m² and features an intriguing architectural design. This is evident in the building's ornaments, which blend Islamic, traditional Malay, Indian, and European styles.

The name "Maimun" is taken from the name of the Sultan's queen, Siti Maimunah. The word maimun comes from Arabic, meaning "blessing," which symbolizes the Sultan's love for his queen.

Located about 4 km from the center of Medan, you can explore various historical and cultural artifacts from the Deli Sultanate as well as from abroad. These include the Deli Sultan's throne, the Puntung cannon, and collections of paintings.

3. Enjoying the Stunning Natural Scenery at Laut Tawar Lake

Source: acehportal.com

Want to experience the cool mountain air in Aceh? You can visit Laut Tawar Lake, located in the Gayo Highlands, Central Aceh Regency, Aceh.

To enter this area, you will be charged an entrance fee of Rp5000. Additionally, you can explore the lake area by renting a speed boat, rubber boat, wooden boat, or a wooden ship. The management charges around Rp20,000 to Rp25,000.

In addition to enjoying the lake's scenery, you can also engage in several exciting activities, including fishing, trekking, and exploring caves.

To reach this area, there are several routes you can choose. If you are coming from Lhokseumawe, the travel time to Laut Tawar Lake is approximately 4 hours. If you are coming from Medan, the travel time can reach up to 10 hours. Although the journey is quite long, the beauty of the surroundings will make it all worth it.

To stay updated on the latest information about tourist destinations, events, and various interesting facts, you can check the website event.indonesia.travel or follow Instagram @winner.wonderfulevents. Let's vacation #InIndonesia to explore the diverse cultures and support economic growth in Indonesia.