Jakarta Vice Governor Rano Karno officially kicked off the 8th INFOBANK Green Golf Tournament at the Pondok Indah Golf Course, South Jakarta, Saturday (2/7).

During his opening remarks, Rano tipped his hat to the event’s fundraising mission, which aims to support social initiatives, including the construction of a new school and the planting of 10,000 mangroves on Pari Island, Seribu Islands.

"On behalf of the Jakarta government, I would like to express my gratitude for the attention shown toward Pari Island. It’s heartening to see people stepping up to make a difference," he expressed.

He highlighted that out of the 128 islands in Seribu Islands regency, Pari Island is still waiting in the wings for its first vocational high school (SMK). He hoped that this charity drive would not be a one-off event.

"This is a great momentum for us, and I hope we can keep the ball rolling for years to come," he added.

Beyond the educational gap, Pari Island is also behind the curve in terms of broadcasting, as it currently lacks a TVRI transmitter tower. To bridge this gap, the Jakarta government is set to join forces with TVRI to establish a transmitter tower in Seribu Islands.

To kick things off at the tournament, he performed a symbolic gesture by planting a Trembesi tree and releasing birds, setting the tone for an event that balances sport with environmental stewardship.