Pekanbaru City now officially has a new leader in the development of sports branches after Achmad Faisal Reza was inaugurated as the General Chairman of the National Sports Committee of Indonesia (KONI) Pekanbaru for the 2026–2030 term. The inauguration ceremony was led directly by the Chairman of KONI Riau, Iskandar Hoesin, on Saturday (1/8/2026), marking the start of a new era of athlete development in the provincial capital.
This ceremonial event was attended by several key regional figures, including Pekanbaru Mayor Agung Nugroho, Deputy Mayor Markarius Anwar, Head of the Youth and Sports Department (Kadispora) Yuliarso, as well as the leadership ranks of the Pekanbaru Regional House of Representatives (DPRD). The presence of these policymakers underlines the local government's full support for the progress of the sports ecosystem in the "Bertuah" City.
In his speech, Mayor Agung Nugroho emphasized the importance of reviving the passion for competition that had temporarily faded. He likened KONI Pekanbaru to an engine that has been cold for a long time and must now be warmed up immediately. Agung also highlighted the multiplier effect of hosting sports events, which is believed not only to hone the competitive mindset of athletes but also to drive the local economy.
To support the new management's work program, the Pekanbaru City Government is opening up opportunities to increase budget allocation through the 2026 Revised Regional Budget (APBD). This strategic step is expected to facilitate various sports branches in organizing regular championships and conducting intensive and sustainable athlete development.
Responding to this mandate, the General Chairman of KONI Pekanbaru, Achmad Faisal Reza, committed to thoroughly reforming organizational governance. One of his main priorities is to compile an integrated database for athletes and coaches to accurately map achievement potential. Faisal ensured that all sports branches would receive equal attention without any discrimination.
As an immediate concrete step, KONI Pekanbaru targets the implementation of the City Sports Week (Porkot) in 2026. This city-level multi-sport event is designed to serve as both a selection trials and an important warm-up for local athletes before competing at a higher level, namely the Riau Provincial Sports Week (Porprov) in 2027.
