Opening of the XVIIIth National Student Sports Week (POMNAS) 2023, attended by 2,717

Rector of Udayana University Prof. Ngakan Putu Gede Suardana as Chair of BAPOMI Bali as well as General Chair of National Forpimawa attended the opening ceremony of the XVIII 2023 National Student Sports Week (POMNAS), at the South Kalimantan Governor's Office Complex, Banjarbaru, Wednesday (15/11/2023). The opening of the largest sports event between students in Indonesia was opened directly by the Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) Dito Ariotedjo together with the Governor of South Kalimantan H Sahbirin Noor, which was marked by the shooting of bows and arrows and enlivened with fireworks.

The Rector of Lambung Mangkurat University, Ahmad Alim Bachri, in his report said that this POMNAS activity was held from 15 to 22 November 2023, with a total of 2,717 athletes participating in the event from 34 provinces throughout Indonesia. For managers, coaches and officials as many as 1,179. The number of sports being competed in this year's POMNAS is 16 sports. It is an extraordinary honor for South Kalimantan, especially for Lambung Mangkurat University which is trusted to carry out national scale activities. It is hoped that this event can run smoothly and successfully.

Meanwhile, the Governor of South Kalimantan, Sahbirin Noor, felt proud to be trusted as the host of the VIIIth POMNAS. It is an extraordinary pride for South Kalimantan to be given the opportunity to host this POMNAS between students. He hopes that the entire contingent will feel comfortable and at home in South Kalimantan. “We try our best to provide the best service. "Moreover, in the future, South Kalimantan will be the gateway to the nation's capital," he said.

Minister of Youth and Sports Ario Bimo Nandito Ariotedjo expressed his appreciation for holding POMNAS XVIII in South Kalimantan. "All this is thanks to the full support of the Governor of South Kalimantan and the entire community, including the Rector of Lambung Mangkurat University, South Kalimantan, who has worked hard to make this homeland student event possible," he said.

With the addition of two sports, namely wrestling and pencak silat, it has participated in sports development and spread the potential of students. According to him, student athletes also help and have an important role in carrying out government programs through the National Sports Grand Design. This coaching program has short term, medium term and long term, where student athletes are also involved in it.