The opening of the East Java Provincial Sports Week (Porprov) V Banyuwangi which was held at the Diponegoro Stadium, Banyuwangi Regency, took place lively and was greeted enthusiastically by the local community, Saturday (6/6).
The traffic jams around the stadium and the full stands inside the stadium show that the people of Banyuwangi Regency give their full support to this biennial sporting event.
The event began with a fireworks display and a show of skill from hundreds of dancers from Banyuwangi Regency who performed the Gandrung dance. In addition, the Banyuwangi Ethno Carnival and a parade of various Porprov participants also enlivened the opening event.
East Java Governor, Drs. H. Soekarwo, SH, M.Hum said that the implementation of Porprov is one of the means to produce professional athletes of national and international caliber. "East Java is a warehouse of athletes, and it is not surprising if later from East Java there are many quality athletes," he said, Saturday (6/6).
The man who is familiarly called Pakde Karwo appealed to the referees to always fair play in leading a match. Athletes must also uphold their professionalism, so that the implementation of Porprov V runs well and produces satisfactory achievements.
"Professionalism, honesty, and sportsmanship are some important factors to achieve maximum achievement. This Porprov is also to prepare athletes who will later compete at the Asian and even world level. Therefore, obey all the rules of the game," appealed Pakde Karwo.
Meanwhile, Banyuwangi Regent, Abdullah Azwar Anas, M.Si expressed his apology for the less than optimal accommodation or hotel facilities. "If there are shortcomings and less than optimal facilities, we apologize profusely," he said.
Anas added, however, to overcome the shortage of hotels, the contingent of Porprov V participants can still utilize residential areas for accommodation. "Banyuwangi residents are relatively friendly, and Porprov participants are happy with the service and friendliness of these residents," he added. (say/yon)
