Koror, Palau – In his remarks, Dr. Tellei acknowledged the presence of leaders from across Palau and the Pacific, including traditional chiefs, government representatives, and the Pacific Games Council. He paid special tribute to Palau's traditional leaders—Chief Reklai, Ibedul, Bilung, and Ebil Reklai—as well as the visiting chiefs from Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia.

“Hosting the Games is not only an honour, but a collective effort,” he said, noting that Palau previously hosted the 7th Pacific Mini Games in 2005. “We thank the Palau National Olympic Committee for bidding, the Pacific Games Council for awarding the Games, and our national leadership for accepting the challenge of welcoming the Pacific once again.”

Dr. Tellei highlighted the strong support from bilateral partners who helped bring the Games to life. He extended gratitude to:

The Republic of China (Taiwan) for facility readiness and athlete training support;

The United States of America, including military personnel on the ground;

Australia and Japan, whose governments have significantly contributed to infrastructure and preparation.

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He also praised the volunteers, local communities, and the private sector, who have played an integral role in making the Games a success—from logistics and hospitality to state-wide “adoption” of visiting delegations. “The people and villages from all states are here to cheer for you,” he said with pride.

While acknowledging potential challenges, Dr. Tellei appealed for understanding, noting that every effort had been made to ensure an enjoyable and well-run Games within the available resources.

In closing, he called on athletes and participants to go beyond competition: “Compete to the best of your abilities, connect with each other, make friends, and use sport to strengthen the bonds between our countries and our people.”

The spirit of unity, resilience, and regional camaraderie shines brightly in Palau as the Games begin.

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For more information about the 2025 Pacific Mini Games, visit;