Notwithstanding the heavy presence of security personnel in the Papua capital of Jayapura and three neighboring regencies that hosted the two-week-long competition, peace seemed to prevail across the easternmost province, with almost zero reports of skirmishes between separatist groups and police or military troops.

A series of clashes, some of them claiming lives, had preceded the first-ever PON held in Papua, triggering concerns about safety among athletes and officials who were to take part in the country’s biggest sporting meet. Possible COVID-19 transmission was also a cause for fear, given that Papua lags behind most provinces in Java in terms of health facilities and workers, rendering it barely prepared in the event of a sudden outbreak.

The government defied calls for another postponement of the PON, saying preparations had been made years before the pandemic struck. To anticipate a potential surge in COVID-19 cases, a full-dose of vaccination was mandatory for all participating athletes and officials. The government also vaccinated the populations in the four municipality and regencies where the medal race took place.

Vice President Ma’ruf Amin admitted in the closing ceremony Friday, organizing the PON in Papua in the midst of a pandemic was an extremely tough undertaking. “This is the most challenging PON we have ever held, but Papua proved they not only did it; they did it perfectly,” Ma’ruf said in his credit to the host and those involved in the organization of the event.

One of the most difficult jobs for the organizers should have been enforcing the strict health protocol. Despite the restrictions, at least 83 of the 9,800 participating athletes and officials had been infected as of Oct. 11. Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said virus transmission most likely occurred inside the athlete village, where athletes shared a room, and during gathering for meals.

The health protocol was supposed to be in place in all sports venues, but blatant ignorance of the defense mechanism against COVID-19 was visible during the soccer final match between host Papua and Aceh on Wednesday. Mandala Stadium, the venue of the match, was overcrowded, with hundreds who were denied entry flocking outside the stadium. The enthusiasm of local supporters paid off as the host team won 2-0 for the gold medal.

In fact, Papua could hold its head high as it left the PON arena after finishing fourth behind regular overall winners West Java, Jakarta and East Java. For Papua it was the best achievement since taking fifth place in 1985 in Jakarta.

But what next after the party is over? To throw the quadrennial sporting fiesta in Papua the government has spent more than Rp 10.4 trillion (US$740 million) since 2018, mostly on sports infrastructure development. Papua, one of the least developed regions, now owns high-class sports facilities that elude most provinces in the country, but the question is how it can maintain them if it still has to fight poverty and illiteracy.

The festivities should last longer in Papua, if the government can bring peace and justice there.