Palau is set to host the largest Pacific Mini Games in history, with 1,200 athletes, 200 technical staff, and 24 Pacific nations participating in 14 sports, the Palau Games Organising Committee confirmed last week.
Speaking at a press conference last Wednesday, Committee Chairman Dr Patrick Tellei declared, “I am here to say that Palau is ready,” with just 80 days remaining before the 2025 Pacific Mini Games kick off.
Sporting venues and accommodations for athletes are in various stages of completion across the island nation. The Palau Track & Field stadium, which will host the opening and closing ceremonies, is mostly completed, with athletes already training on the finished track.
Palau Nippon Stadium, the venue for baseball, is also largely complete, with minor work continuing behind the dugouts and on the field. The Meyuns Softball Field is nearing full completion, pending final paving of the access road.
Other facilities still under construction include the Va’a venue at Meyuns Ramp “Skozio,” which requires additional concrete work, and Melekeok Baseball Field, which will be converted for the archery events. The Palau High School Spider Gym, set to host basketball, is also under construction but expected to be completed in time, Tellei said.
The Palau National Pool is finished, with ongoing work on restroom facilities and installation of reinforced concrete slabs for bleachers and a warm-up platform. Tellei noted that the adjacent Pacific Ocean will serve as the official warm-up pool for swimming events, saying, “We will have the largest warm-up pool because we will use the Pacific Ocean.”
Ngermalk Park (Long Island), the venue for beach volleyball, is in early preparation stages. The park will feature five courts—three for competition and two for practice.
The Meyuns Sports Complex, located near Meyuns Elementary School, is nearly ready and will serve as the judo and weightlifting venue. Team Palau, consisting of around 200 athletes, will be housed at the elementary school.
Athletes from other nations will be accommodated at several schools throughout Koror, including Palau High School, Koror Elementary School, GB Harris Elementary School, Meyuns Elementary School, and Mindzenty High School. Construction and upgrades to these facilities are occurring primarily at night to avoid disruption to ongoing classes.
Meals for athletes and officials will be provided at the Palau Community College cafeteria, which has been designated as the official dining facility for the Games.
According to Tellei, approximately US$5 million has been invested in upgrading sports venues and athlete accommodations.
The Games have also received US$107,000 in private sector donations, while the national congress has authorised US$1.4 million in public funding.
