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Team PNG Unites at Team Bonding Event Ahead of Palau 2025
Team PNG Unites at Team Bonding Event Ahead of Palau 2025
Port Moresby – Team PNG athletes and officials came together today at the Sir John Guise Indoor Stadium for a vibrant and spirited team bonding event in preparation for the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau.
The day-long event brought together over 150 athletes and officials in a celebration of unity, national pride, and team culture under the guidance of the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee (PNGOC). The event featured a range of activities designed to disseminate important Team PNG and Games information, strengthen relationships, reinforce shared values, and prepare Team PNG to represent the nation with pride.
The program began with a moving devotion by the Gavuone Urban Fellowship and a powerful rendition of the National Anthem and Pledge by students from Gordon International School. PNGOC President Emma Waiwai in officially welcoming Team PNG athletes and officials to the Team Bonding event also congratulated all who earned their place on the team and said that today was not about competition, but about building real connections – a deeper connection with team members, clear sense of purpose and renewed spirit of unity.
Team PNG was privileged to have former athlete and member of the General Management Team, Xenia Peni share her story of her journey as an athlete, to inspire the team representing PNG at the Palau 2025 Pacific Mini Games. Xenia, who represented PNG in Swimming at the Olympic and Pacific Games in Swimming and also Vaá at the 2005 and 2015 Pacific Games, encouraged athletes to know their why – why they train, play and give it their all.
Team PNG’s Chef de Mission for Palau 2025, Kinivanagi Karo, in his remarks, emphasized the importance of unity and shared purpose.
“Team PNG is more than just a group of athletes. We are one team, one spirit, and one voice. This bonding experience is about understanding that we each play a part in lifting our country, both on and off the field,” said Karo. “This is where our journey as a team truly begins.”
Athletes were also addressed by the Chair of the Athletes Commission, Andrew Molen and on the importance of Safeguarding by Asiani Vagi.
Athletes engaged in interactive sessions grouped by functional areas such as Media, Medical, Performance, Safeguarding and Anti-doping, and the Athletes Commission. These sessions, creatively named after iconic Palau landmarks like Jellyfish Lake, Rock Islands, and Milky Way Lagoon, added a fun and thematic layer to the experience.
The event ended with a lively team walkout practice, a spirited performance of the official Team PNG song, and a team lunch that allowed athletes and officials to connect in a relaxed setting.
The Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee sincerely thanks Coca-Cola Europacific Partners for their generous donation of 10 cases of beverages, and the Papua New Guinea Sports Foundation for providing the venue at Sir John Guise Stadium. Your support played a vital role in the success of this event, we truly appreciate it.
With the countdown to Palau 2025 underway, the Team Bonding Day marked a meaningful step forward in ensuring Team PNG heads into competition united, motivated, and ready to make the nation proud.
