HARIANEXPRESS – Fourteen sports are set to be removed from the 2026 East Kalimantan Provincial Sports Week (Porprov VIII Kaltim) in Paser, a decision driven by significant budget limitations. (2/8/2026)
The cut reduces the initial plan of 64 sports to just 50, directly impacting the major provincial event scheduled from November 14–27, 2026. This adjustment became necessary after the East Kalimantan Provincial Government only allocated Rp 20 billion, a considerable reduction from the proposed Rp 60 billion budget.
Abdi Permana, Head of Sports at the Paser Youth, Sports, and Tourism Agency (Disporapar Paser), confirmed that the decision to reduce the number of sports followed multiple coordination meetings. These meetings involved the Great Committee (PB) Porprov, the Paser Regency Government, KONI Kaltim, and various district/city sports agencies.
“We have held several meetings with districts/cities, both KONI and their Disporas,” Abdi Permana stated to RRI.co.id. “However, considering the budget disbursed by the province, we decided to cut and streamline the sports to be competed in Porprov 2026.”
Despite Paser Regency holding the authority as host to determine the sports, the decision was made in consultation with KONI Kaltim, considering each sport’s achievements. KONI Kaltim had initially hoped to retain all 64 sports by reducing the number of events for each, but organizers ultimately had to align with the available budget.
The selection process for the remaining sports also took into account their relevance to events competed at the National Sports Week (PON). Abdi noted that the main sports at PON 2028, slated for NTB, NTT, and Jakarta, are estimated to include only 31 to 35 disciplines.
The current roster of 50 sports is not yet final, as the PB Porprov is open to further evaluation of one to three sports with strong ties to PON 2028. This means that adjustments to the final list are still possible in the near future.
In parallel, KONI Kaltim is actively seeking additional funding, including a proposal submitted to East Kalimantan Governor Rudy Mas’ud, to potentially allow all 64 sports to proceed. Abdi Permana expressed hope that securing more support would ensure the Porprov Kaltim VIII 2026’s success in terms of organization, athletic performance, and stimulating the local economy in Paser Regency.
