FUKUOKA, JAPAN — The Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, cementing a relationship that has supported Oceania athletes since the lead-up to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

The signing ceremony took place at the Fukuoka Prefectural Government and was attended by the Governor and distinguished officials, alongside ONOC President Baklai Temengil-Chilton and sports leaders from the Oceania region.

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The agreement formalises a partnership that began in 2017, when Oceania athletes first travelled to Fukuoka for pre-games training camps. In the years since, athletes across multiple sports have trained at Fukuoka's world-class facilities, with many recording personal and seasonal best performances.

"This agreement represents the strong friendship that has grown between ONOC and Fukuoka Prefecture. Through this cooperation, we are expanding training opportunities, encouraging athlete and coach exchanges, and supporting the long-term development of sport across the Pacific." - Baklai Temengil-Chilton, President, Oceania National Olympic Committees

The MoC establishes a framework for three areas of collaboration: expanding training access for Oceania athletes in Fukuoka; facilitating exchanges between athletes, coaches, and sport administrators from Japan and Oceania; and supporting long-term athletic development pathways in the region.

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The partnership aligns with ONOC's 2025–2028 Strategic Plan, which identifies international partnerships as a priority for elevating athlete performance and institutional capability across the 17 National Olympic Committees of Oceania.

ONOC also expressed support for Fukuoka Prefecture's ambition to develop into an internationally recognised training centre, welcoming the opportunity to deepen sport ties between Asia and the Pacific.