INDONESIANTALK.COM – The grand finale of the 8th National Community Sports Festival (FORNAS VIII) in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) on Friday, August 1, 2025, is set to be a night to remember.
More than just a celebration featuring top-tier musical acts and a vibrant community festival, the event will be marked by the anticipated presence of the Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who is scheduled to attend the closing ceremony in person.
His attendance signals a strong endorsement from the central government for community sports development and highlights the potential of regional hosts in staging large-scale national events.
Schedule Finalized, VVIP Protocols in Place
The confirmation of the Vice President’s visit was delivered by Captain Amdatullah, Operations Officer of Korem 162/WB, to the media on Monday morning, July 28, 2025.
“We’ll be holding a coordination meeting at the Governor’s Office this afternoon to finalize details regarding the welcoming and VVIP security protocols. The advance team from Jakarta is arriving tomorrow,” he stated.
According to Amdatullah, there is a 90% likelihood that the Vice President will attend.
Indra Kuswara, Deputy V of the FORNAS VIII NTB Organizing Committee, added that VP Gibran is expected to arrive at approximately 7:00 PM Central Indonesia Time (WITA) to enjoy the evening performances held at the Governor’s Office grounds.
“After the event, he will return to his hotel and depart for Jakarta the following morning,” Indra noted.
Star-Studded Line-Up, with Security as Top Priority
The closing night will feature an impressive line-up, including performances by iconic rock band Slank, pop singer Gea Indrawari, Pelita Group, and various local NTB artists.
However, the presence of the Vice President has necessitated heightened security measures.
“Security protocols will be tighter than during the opening ceremony,” Indra confirmed. “We’re dealing with the country’s second-highest official, so everything must be perfectly in place.”
All attendees entering the main venue will go through strict screening procedures, although the event remains a free and inclusive public celebration.
The main venue is expected to accommodate between 30,000 and 36,000 spectators, based on manual area calculations.
Traffic Engineering and Dedicated VVIP Routes
Traffic and access routes will be strategically managed during the event. Vehicles transporting VVIP and VIP guests will use designated access stickers and have specified drop-off and parking zones to ensure smooth mobility.
General attendees are directed to park at the Selaparang runway area, with the following entry gates:
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West Gate for the general public
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Center Gate for VIP, VVIP guests, and performers
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East Gate reserved exclusively for public exit to prevent crowd congestion at the central roundabout.
A Historic Night for West Nusa Tenggara
For the people of NTB, the FORNAS VIII closing ceremony is more than just a sporting celebration—it marks a historic milestone showcasing the province’s readiness to host national-scale events.
The Vice President’s presence symbolizes the growing significance of community sports within the national agenda.
This moment is not solely about competition—it’s about unity, well-being, and national pride.
“Hopefully, his presence will further ignite the festive spirit and serve as motivation for all participating contingents who have given their best throughout the festival,” Indra Kuswara concluded.
FORNAS VIII has brought together thousands of participants from across the archipelago.
And this Friday, all eyes will be on NTB—a place where the passion for sports, culture, and national unity will shine on a single stage.
