ONOC athlete and NOC Support at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau

June 30, 2025
ONOC
ONOC President Baklai Temengil connects with regional champions and volunteers during the "Voices of the Athletes" workshop on June 25, 2025, in Koror, Palau ahead of the historic 2025 Pacific Mini Games opening ceremony.

As the 2025 Pacific Mini Games officially commence in Palau, the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) has rolled out a comprehensive suite of support programmes designed to empower athletes, strengthen NOC capacity, and reinforce medical and high-performance systems across the region.

Koror, Palau – In alignment with ONOC’s Strategic Plan 2025–2028 – particularly its Core Function 2 (Supporting Sporting Excellence) and Priority Area 8 (High Performance Ecosystems) – ONOC is delivering five key initiatives during the Games:

1. Voices of the Athletes (VOA) Outreach Programme

Facilitated by the ONOC Athletes’ Commission, the VOA Programme is engaging athletes with interactive sessions on values-based education, including safeguarding, well-being, and integrity in sport. The initiative aims to build athlete leaders and strengthen protective environments for Pacific athletes.

ONOC President Baklai Temengil and ONOC Executive Director Inoke Bainimarama with the VOA Champions and Volunteers during the three day Training

2. NOC Storytelling Project

In partnership with the Palau National Olympic Committee and the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), ONOC’s Communications team is leading a regional storytelling initiative. Also featuring youth-trained Palauan correspondents from The Reporters Academy, the project uses multimedia to profile athletes and highlight the cultural and personal journeys behind the competition.

ANOC TV's Bastien Sancey-Richard (R) and Nicolas Gras (L) contributing to the Games coverage | ANOC / Annice Lyn

3. Medical Programme

Through the ONOC Medical Commission, ONOC is supporting the Palau Games Organising Committee (GOC) and PNOC to bolster Games-time health services. This includes pre-hospital care, emergency planning, and the deployment of a regional medical team comprising doctors, physiotherapists, and specialists from the Oceania Sports Support Organisation in Japan.

Dr Belladonna Potoi with the Games Polyclinic team.

4. High Performance Development Study

ONOC, via the Oceania Sport Education Programme (OSEP), is conducting a study to assess each NOC’s talent development pathways and high-performance infrastructure. This study will inform planning toward LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032. It includes a Talent Identification Programme delivered in partnership with the City of Mission Viejo (USA) and Fukuoka Prefecture (Japan).

5. Executive Engagement and On-Ground Support

The ONOC Executive Unit is engaging in strategic meetings with NOC leaders during the Games to support long-term development. A full team of ONOC staff arrived ahead of the Games to coordinate and deliver the initiatives and will remain throughout the competition period.

With nearly 2,000 athletes and officials from 23 nations competing across 12 sports, the 2025 Pacific Mini Games marks a vital milestone in the development of Oceania sport.

ONOC’s contributions aim to ensure that the Games are not only a celebration of excellence but also a catalyst for sustainable athlete and organisational growth.

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

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About ONOC 
Established in 1981, the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) is one of five Continental Associations. It looks after the interests of 17 member nations in the Oceania Region, including Australia and New Zealand as well as seven associate members. 

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For more information, please contact;

Sitiveni Tawakevou
Chief Communications Officer (Acting)
sitiveni@oceanianoc.org

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