Reflecting on a week of partnership and the Road to Brisbane 2032, ONOC President Baklai Temengil-Chilton says today’s Assembly is a “big decision day” for the region’s reform agenda.

Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) President Mrs Baklai Temengil-Chilton today opened the XLVI ONOC Annual General Assembly (AGA), the first General Assembly she has chaired since taking office. Speaking ahead of proceedings, she reflected on a week that has brought the region’s partners together and set out her expectations for a day she describes as pivotal for the organisation’s future.

President Temengil-Chilton said this week’s update from the Australian Government on Brisbane 2032 underlined the Games as a home advantage for the entire region.

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“Brisbane 2032 is a home Games advantage for Oceania. It is very important for us to step up, to be at the same table to guide Brisbane 2032 for the bigger impact to our region — not just for our athletes to be at the top, but for all of us to use sport as a leverage for everything that we do, because we impact communities, social impact and economic impact.” Baklai Temengil-Chilton, President, ONOC

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She pointed to the ONOC Games Commission and its key partners — including Paralympics Oceania, Oceania Sport and Commonwealth Oceania — as central to preparing athletes, coaches, administrators and leaders for the road to 2032.

Reflecting on a week that convened ORADO, the Commonwealth and the Paralympic movement alongside ONOC, the President said partnership and inclusion had been the unifying theme.

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“Everyone has their strategy, but it is the same objective and the same goals. The amazing thing about this is inclusion — it is the athlete at the centre of all that we do. We at ONOC cannot do it alone; we rely on our partners.” Baklai Temengil-Chilton, President, ONOC

Turning to today’s Assembly, she said the agenda’s most significant work would be ONOC’s own institutional reform, including a review of its charter and articles of association following two years of consultation with leaders across the region.

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“This is my first General Assembly, so I am excited to open it today in Auckland and lead that conversation. But the big day for us is really looking at our own institution doing reforms, reviewing our charter. Reform and change is not easy, but we have to continue to evolve.” Baklai Temengil-Chilton, President, ONOC

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President Temengil-Chilton said leaders must be prepared to make and own difficult decisions in the interests of athletes, and expressed confidence in a positive outcome. The standards and partnerships strengthened this week, she said, will shape Oceania’s journey to Los Angeles 2028, the 2027 Pacific Games in Tahiti and a home Games at Brisbane 2032.