REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, MANADO -- A total of 1,251 students of Polytechnic Higher Learning institutes will compete in the 11th sports and arts week, which was opened by North Sulawesi Provincial Governor Olly Dondokambey here Monday.

The ringing of a musical instrument "Tetengkoreng" by the governor, Director General of Learning and Student Affairs of Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education Prof Dr Intan Achmad, and director of the Manado state-run polytechnic, Jemmy Rangan, highlighted the opening ceremony of the sports and arts week.

On the occasion, the governor greeted the participants of schools of polytechnic across Indonesia that will meet at the event from May 16 to 23, 2016.

Sports is an effective vehicle to increase national identity, and is a part of the process of formation of a healthy and superior generation in the country, according to Olly.