Team PNG will depart the country for Palau today to take part in this year’s 2025 Pacific Mini Games that will take place from the 29th of this month June to the 09th of July. A total of 186 athletes and officials including the General Management Team will travel to Palau. The athletes will be taking part in nine sports including, Athletics, Basketball 3x3, Beach Volleyball, Table Tennis, Softball, Swimming, Va'a, Indoor Volleyball and Weightlifting. President of Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee, Mrs. Emma Waiwai, in a farewell event this week, expressed this event as an honour to send all representatives including the athletes and officials who will be taking part in this year’s Mini Games. She stated that this is not just a competition, but the dedication and unwavering commitment for sporting excellence. She encouraged them to represent the country with pride and as ambassadors of Papua New Guinea. “You carry with you the hopes of a nation, the pride of our people in which the spirit of unity bides us all.” “When you step onto the field, the court, the track or into the arena, you do so not alone but with the strength of a thousand tribes behind you.” She expressed that Team PNG is a reflection of unity with athletes from different province, backgrounds and cultures coming together with one purpose to represent the nation with pride. In addition, Mrs. Waiwai said that this is also an opportunity to show the Pacific what it means to be Team PNG; fearless, focused and full of heart. Meanwhile, with the 2032 Olympic Games coming up, Mrs. Waiwai said that this is just a steppingstone for many of the athletes. “The experience you gain here for this year’s 2025 Pacific Mini Games, will shape the champions we hope to see on the world stage in seven years’ time.” Furthermore, Mrs. Waiwai also thanked the coaches and the management for their time behind the scenes; their guidance and support are the backbone of the team’s success. She also thanked the families of the athletes for their sacrifices, encouragement and unwavering beliefs in the dreams of the athletes. Moreover, she encouraged all athletes to do their best and compete with courage and humility and above all represent the country. Mrs. Waiwai thanked the sponsors from Trukai Industries, Kumul Consolidated Holdings, Vodafone PNG, PacificAus Sports, Coral Sea Hotels, Theodist, University of Institutue of Business Studies, Media Partners, Trophy Haus, Vanguard International, CIty Pharmacy Limited, Rotary Club of PNG, Carbine Club, Paradise Biscuits and South Pacific Brewery.