Papua New Guinea (PNG) proudly welcomed home its national sporting heroes following an inspiring campaign at the 2025 Palau Pacific Mini Games, with PNG Olympic Committee President Emma Waiwai leading a spirited celebration of their efforts and achievements. In a heartfelt address during a formal Team PNG welcome ceremony, President Waiwai praised the athletes, coaches, and support teams for their outstanding performance, which she said left a deep-rooted mark on PNG's sporting history, as the country celebrates its 50th year of independence. Team PNG participated in 9 of the 14 sports contested in Palau and returned home with an impressive 77 medals — 22 Gold, 29 Silver, and 26 Bronze. Athletics proved to be PNG’s dominant discipline, accounting for 65% of the medal haul with 50 medals, followed by Weightlifting with 14 medals, contributing 18% of the total. “This success represents more than medals,” Waiwai said. “It represents grit, dedication, and the unyielding belief that our potential as a nation is limitless.” Among the standout performers was Daniel Baul, who secured four gold medals — in the 400m hurdles, 4x100m relay, 4x400m relay, and the inaugural 4x100m mixed relay — and a silver in the 400m sprint. Waiwai also extended special recognition to PNG’s para-athletes, who played a vital role in the Athletics medal count. While celebrating the nation's successes, Waiwai acknowledged the competitiveness of the regional sporting landscape, noting that Tahiti topped the medal table with 142 medals, followed by Fiji (81) and Samoa (61). She emphasized the need for PNG to “stay clear-eyed” about the road ahead, calling for deeper investment in high-performance training, grassroots development, and improved local sporting infrastructure. Waiwai spotlighted the National Sports Institute (NSI) as a cornerstone of PNG’s athletic development. “NSI has a proven track record of producing champions. We must invest in and build it up further,” she said. She also raised strategic questions about how to retain and improve upon the nation’s standing ahead of the 2027 Pacific Games in Tahiti, urging National Federations to plan beyond 2025 by converting silvers and bronzes into gold and supporting athletes through stronger domestic competitions and regional tournaments. The success of Team PNG was made possible through the backing of government and corporate partners. Waiwai extended gratitude to the PNG Government for its approved K4.1 million in funding and paid tribute to the “Team PNG family” of 14 corporate sponsors — including Trukai Industries, SP Brewery, Air Niugini, ExxonMobil PNG, Vodafone PNG, and others — for their unwavering support. “These partnerships are a powerful endorsement of the value of sport,” she said, urging even greater collaboration across government, business, and sporting bodies. As PNG reflects on half a century of independence, Waiwai emphasized the transformative role of sport in uniting the nation’s diverse communities and inspiring youth. “Every sprint, every leap, every record set is a chapter in the extraordinary story of Papua New Guinea. Sport is not just about medals — it is about hope, identity, and national pride.” In closing, Waiwai called for renewed national commitment to high-performance sport and challenged the country to rise to the next level. “Let us stride, paddle, leap, lead, and run confidently into the future,” she declared. “Together, we have the power to elevate Papua New Guinea to unprecedented levels of excellence.”