Bireuen Regency Government Welcomes the XXI PON Torch Relay in Meuligoe Regent.

Acting (Pj) Regent of Bireuen, Jalaluddin, SH MM together with officials of the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda), State Civil Apparatus (ASN), students from various levels of education in Bireuen, enthusiastically welcomed the arrival of the XVIII Aceh-North Sumatra National Sports Week (PON) Torch Relay team which took place, Wednesday (4/9/2024) afternoon in the Meuligoe yard (Pendopo) Regent.

The handover of the National Sports Week (PON) torch from Baktiar Juli to the Acting Regent of Bireuen as the ceremony instructor, took place in a ceremony led by Mulya Saputra which was attended by employees, students and witnessed by the public.

Acting Regent of Bireuen, Jalaluddin in his speech said, PON XXI Aceh-North Sumatra in 2024 is the 21st implementation of PON which is a major national multi-sport event scheduled to take place from 9 to 20 September 2024 in Aceh and North Sumatra.

This implementation marks the first time PON has been held by two provinces at once, also marking the first time PON has been held in Aceh. PON is the peak of achievements and results of national-level sports development. PON is also a barometer for measuring regional success in developing sports that are competed nationally.

An advanced region is not only measured by progress in the fields of economy, technology, culture and politics, but also in the field of sports. An advanced Aceh is an Aceh that is also able to win various sports competitions at the national to international levels.

"Today we are carrying out one of the traditions marking the start of the biggest sporting event in Indonesia, namely the torch handover ceremony or the PON XXI Aceh - North Sumatra torch procession. Every year the opening of PON in Indonesia is famous for the PON torch procession being paraded around the PON host area," he said.

The PON torch procession in Aceh has been held since August 27, 2024, which began to be paraded around the city of Sabang to 23 regencies / cities in Aceh Province and ended in Banda Aceh with the flames still burning. The PON torch procession is not just a tradition.

But it is also a symbol of unity, enthusiasm, and the spirit of sportsmanship, unity, and unity of the entire Indonesian people in this sporting event. The burning torch symbolizes the spirit of competition and strong togetherness.

Although Bireuen Regency is not one of the regencies/cities where the sports branches are competed in PON XXI Aceh-Sumut, but all levels of the Bireuen Regency Government, we also invite all people of Bireuen Regency to support and enliven the implementation of PON XXI Aceh-Sumut.

"The implementation of PON XXI Aceh-Sumut can also be an opportunity for us to promote the cultural wealth, tourism, and MSMEs in Bireuen Regency. Let's make PON a success, and make this an honor and pride for all of us, the people of Bireuen," hoped Acting Regent Jalaluddin.