ONOC Support towards Pacific Mini Games Media Strategy in Palau

July 7, 2025
PALAU 2025
ANOC Team Lead Bastien Sancey-Richard, Nicolas Gras during an interview at the Palau National Gym | Photo: ANOC / Annice Lyn

The Oceania National Olympic Committee (ONOC) has demonstrated its commitment to strengthening regional sporting excellence through media support for the Pacific Mini Games in Palau. The team has provided support toward the establishment and management of the Main Media Centre (MMC) serving as a cornerstone of collaboration for the visiting broadcast and media teams covering the games.

Koror, Palau - Operating from Palau Community College since June 25 to July 9, 2025, the MMC represents far more than a logistical hub for the 44 accredited media representatives covering the Games. It embodies ONOC's strategic vision of creating an empowered, innovative sport ecosystem that amplifies the voices and stories emerging from Oceania sporting excellence. The centre operates daily from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM, providing comprehensive support to both local and international media.

ONOC's support extends well beyond infrastructure provision. As Joy Villalino, Media Liaison and PNOC Sports Management Mentor through the Australian Volunteers Program, observed, "It was terrific to work directly with a deep ONOC team of traditional and digital media experts and to have the head of ONOC Communications readily at hand to address event protocol and messaging." This hands-on approach reflects ONOC's commitment to its Core Function of Strengthening NOC Services, particularly in communications and knowledge sharing.

The collaboration between ONOC, the Palau National Olympic Committee (PNOC), and the Pacific Mini Games Olympic Committee (PMGOC) exemplifies best practice in regional sporting governance. ONOC supplemented the local media team with competition coverage and behind-the-scenes reporting, while providing access to digital asset management systems that enable efficient distribution of the tremendous content generated throughout the Games.

The MMC's significance extends beyond operational efficiency to its role as a creative catalyst for storytelling. Villalino emphasizes that "local and foreign press are critical to promoting and reporting on the Pacific Mini Games, the athletes and teams."

The centre serves as a collaborative space where journalists can access Games expertise, conduct research, and develop the rich narratives that bring sporting competition to life. Whether profiling a young swimmer's journey to the podium, documenting a coach's decades-long dedication to their sport, or highlighting the tireless work of volunteers who make these Games possible, the MMC provides the resources and environment necessary for comprehensive coverage.

Joy Villalino, Media Liaison and PNOC Sports Management Mentor during the Games Media Briefing.

This year's Games theme, 'Embodying Unity', resonates particularly strongly within the MMC's operations. As Villalino notes, "just like the athletes, a well working MMC and media systems allows for the local and foreign press to consider each other friendly competitors and help one another achieve their incredibly diverse reporting and content goals." This collaborative spirit mirrors the essence of the Pacific Mini Games themselves, where competition and camaraderie coexist.

Coverage of the games extends to the Host Broadcasting Unit producing live coverage of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies alongside daily 30-minute highlights programs. This content reaches 31 broadcasters across the Pacific region through Pasifika TV, ensuring that the spirit of the Games transcends geographical boundaries and connects communities throughout Oceania.

The comprehensive media infrastructure supported by ONOC creates multiple touchpoints for storytelling – the determination of athletes pursuing Olympic dreams, the wisdom of experienced coaches nurturing the next generation, and the passion of volunteers whose commitment makes extraordinary sporting moments possible.

Through its strategic support of the MMC and broader media operations, ONOC demonstrates how effective regional collaboration can amplify the impact of sporting events, ensuring that the Pacific Mini Games in Palau will resonate far beyond the final medal ceremony, inspiring future generations of Pacific athletes and sports enthusiasts.

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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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