MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - The North Sumatra Provincial Government is strengthening its cooperation with the North Sumatra branch of the National Sports Committee of Indonesia (KONI) and district and city governments to ensure the successful implementation of the 12th North Sumatra Provincial Sports Week (Porprov Sumut XII) 2026. The provincial administration views the event not only as a sporting competition, but also as an opportunity to strengthen unity while identifying talented athletes who can represent and strengthen North Sumatra at national competitions.
Porprov Sumut XII 2026 will feature 28 sports, with more than 5,654 athletes from various parts of North Sumatra expected to participate. The competitions will be held at four venues across Medan, Binjai, Pematangsiantar and Deli Serdang Regency.
The Head of the North Sumatra Provincial Youth and Sports Agency, M Mahfullah Pratama Daulay, said the implementation of Porprov Sumut would play a strategic role in shaping the province's future sports development programs. The results of the competition will serve as one of the foundations for KONI North Sumatra in preparing athletes for national sporting events.
"Porprov Sumut will take place from November 7 to 15, 2026. The provincial sports week will produce winners in each sport. These results will later give KONI an overview of how the delegation can be formed in preparation for the 2027 Pre-PON and subsequently PON XXII 2028," Mahfullah said.
He made the statement on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, while appearing as a guest alongside the Chairman of KONI North Sumatra, retired Colonel Hatunggal Siregar, on TVRI's live program "TITIK KUMPUL." The program was organized by the North Sumatra Provincial Communication and Informatics Agency and focused on preparations for Porprov Sumut XII 2026.
Provincial Government and KONI Strengthen Cooperation
Mahfullah said the North Sumatra Provincial Government is responsible for ensuring that the entire Porprov Sumut event runs smoothly and successfully. Therefore, the provincial government continues to strengthen coordination with KONI North Sumatra, relevant agencies, district and city governments, and other parties involved in organizing the sporting event.
The cooperation covers various areas, ranging from financial support and the selection of regional athletes to technical coordination and inspection of competition facilities. The government is also continuing preparations for the venues, arrangements for athletes' arrival, and fulfillment of the various standards required for the competitions.
According to Mahfullah, technical preparations are among the key factors in ensuring a high-quality competition. Good event management will not only provide athletes with valuable competitive experience, but will also help the government and KONI identify athletes with the potential to advance to higher levels of competition.
The North Sumatra Provincial Government is also involving various institutions to ensure the competitions run smoothly. Cross-sectoral coordination is essential, Mahfullah said, because Porprov Sumut involves thousands of athletes and will be held across several regions.
"Take security, for example. This requires cooperation with the Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP) and the police, both at the provincial and regional levels. Harmonious cooperation will contribute to good performances and results," he said.
With more than 5,654 participants, the government must ensure that every aspect of the event proceeds according to plan. In addition to security, coordination is required for athlete mobility, preparation of competition venues, athlete services during the event, and technical requirements for each sport.
ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT IN FOCUS: Chairman of KONI North Sumatra, retired Colonel Hatunggal Siregar, emphasizes that Porprov Sumut XII 2026 is an important component of athlete development and talent identification in North Sumatra on the road to regional championships, the 2027 Pre-PON and PON XXII 2028. (PHOTO: North Sumatra Communication and Informatics Office)
Porprov Sumut as a Pathway to Pre-PON
Chairman of
KONI North Sumatra, retired Colonel Hatunggal Siregar, described
Porprov Sumut XII 2026 as an important component of the province's sports development system. In his view, the event is a crucial stage for assessing the performance of regional athletes while identifying talents capable of competing at higher levels.
KONI North Sumatra will monitor athletes' performances throughout Porprov Sumut as part of the subsequent development and selection process. Athletes who demonstrate outstanding performances will have greater opportunities to be considered for preparation programs for various national championships.
Hatunggal said sporting events in 2027 would be an important stage for North Sumatra in maintaining its chances of participating in PON XXII 2028. Therefore, athlete development must be carried out continuously and should not end when Porprov Sumut concludes.
"Because if we do not participate in these two competitions, we cannot take part in the PON. At the SEA Games, North Sumatra also contributed 35 athletes to the Indonesian delegation. Of those 35 athletes, 30 returned with medals," he said.
This record demonstrates that the potential of athletes from North Sumatra is visible not only at regional competitions. Several athletes from the province have already contributed to the Indonesian delegation at international sporting events.
For this reason, KONI North Sumatra has intensified communication with the provincial government since the planning stage of Porprov Sumut. The cooperation covers the mapping of sporting potential, athlete development, and preparations for sporting events following Porprov Sumut.
ENSURING A SMOOTH EVENT: Head of the North Sumatra Provincial Youth and Sports Agency M Mahfullah Pratama Daulay explains the importance of cross-sectoral cooperation to ensure security, venue readiness and the smooth implementation of Porprov Sumut XII 2026.(PHOTO: North Sumatra Communication and Informatics Office)
Focus on Developing High-Performance Athletes
The implementation of Porprov Sumut XII 2026 from November 7 to 15 is expected to make a broader contribution to sports development in North Sumatra. Competition among athletes from various districts and cities provides an opportunity to measure the progress of sports development programs in each region.
The 28 sports featured in the event will also provide opportunities for new talents to emerge from different parts of the province. They will not only compete for medals at Porprov Sumut, but will also have the opportunity to enter
KONI North Sumatra's development and talent-monitoring process.
The provincial government and KONI North Sumatra intend to use this process as part of long-term preparations for national competitions. Athletes who stand out at Porprov Sumut may receive further development opportunities in accordance with the requirements and characteristics of their respective sports.
The North Sumatra Provincial Government has also called on district and city governments to actively support athlete development. Regional support is crucial because a significant part of talent identification and athlete development takes place at the district and city levels.
Through this cooperation, Porprov Sumut XII 2026 is expected to produce more than merely a list of winners. It is also intended to strengthen the foundation for the development of sporting performance in North Sumatra. The competition results will serve as a reference for the government and KONI in evaluating and determining the next stages of athlete development.
With preparations involving the provincial government, KONI, district and city governments, relevant agencies, and security forces,
Porprov Sumut XII 2026 is expected to be conducted safely and competitively. At the same time, the event represents North Sumatra's first major step toward preparing the sporting strength of its athletes for the 2027 Pre-PON and PON XXII 2028.
(IDNC)REPORTER: Ahmad Zulfikar | EDITOR: Fik Sagala