Palau celebrates unity at Pacific Mini Games

Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr says he is proud of the vibrant opening of the Pacific Mini Games and the community effort behind it, despite last-minute challenges and heavy rain on opening night.

Speaking to PMN Sports correspondent James Nokise, Whipps Jr reflected on the major preparation that went into the event.

Another standout moment, he says, was the spontaneous joy shown by the teams despite the downpour.

“You always look forward to the lighting of the torch,” he says. “Just going around the field, listening to the different torchbearers' histories and then culminating in Sydney (Francisco, the Palauan sprinter), climbing to the top … and finally seeing it lit.

“Right before six o'clock it starts pouring rain. Just to see the other teams run onto the field and just have fun. That's the spirit of the games. Rain or shine, it doesn't matter. We're here to do our best and enjoy ourselves and build friendships.”

Tahiti's Teimoana Taputu claimed the first gold medal at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau, taking out the V1 500 metres open men's final in va'a racing. Photo/Palau 2025 Pacific Mini Games/Facebook

Venue upgrades

Palau last hosted the Games in 2005, and Whipps says venues were in poor condition leading up to this year’s event. He credits international partners for their assistance in preparing the facilities.

“We were coming out of COVID. The venues really needed an upgrade and new venues needed to be built. We’re grateful to the government and the people of Taiwan and the United States for their support. We not only upgraded schools, but now they all have air conditioning.”

But due to the timing of the upgrades, local athletes have only just started training in the new facilities.

“They're getting to experience them with the athletes that just arrived. Regardless, they've been practising and they told us they're ready.”

Environmental responsibility

Palau is recognised globally for its environmental leadership, and Whipps says the Games reflect this commitment.

He highlights the unique Palau Pledge, a conservation message stamped into every visitor’s passport.

“We need to understand that we have guests coming in and it's our responsibility to keep our island clean… when everything is clean, then people are more conscious and they keep things clean.

“It reminds our visitors to tread lightly, to respect our nature and our culture, and ultimately, when they leave, only leave footprints in the sand that will wash away.”

Watch President Surangel Whipps Jr's full interview below.

Small nation, big pride

Whipps Jr says this is the most well-attended edition of the Pacific Mini Games.

He encourages other small nations to seize the opportunity to host the Pacific Mini Games.

“On average, it's between 1,200 and maybe at the most 1,300 athletes, and now we have over 2,000. So that just gives you extreme pride that people felt that they could just come because we'd be ready.

“Maybe we can't host the Pacific Games because it's 5,000 people, but the Mini Games gives us the opportunity to also participate, to also get our whole community involved.

“We have the Micronesian Games, which Palau has also hosted twice, and now the Mini Games that we've hosted twice. So I'm very honoured and privileged to be able to do that.”

Tahiti tops the Medal Table at the end of Day 1 at the Pacific Mini Games. Image/pg2025.gems.pro

Day 2 of the games:

Tahiti leads the medal table with 18 medals, also securing the first gold medal of the games with Teimoana Taputu’s thrilling victory in the V1 500m Open Men’s final.

The Marshall Islands and Sāmoa each have three gold medals.

Today, competition will intensify with events in Archery and Basketball 3x3, along with the continuation of Va’a racing, Volleyball, Wrestling, Baseball, and Softball.