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Upcoming deadline for athlete and officials levies due with no government support
The Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee (PNGOC) is issuing a critical reminder to all National Federations sending athletes and teams to the Pacific Mini Games this year. Levy fees for athletes and officials must be settled by 18 June 2025. Until now, government funding remains unconfirmed and has not materialized, despite a budget being submitted in June last year and a revised budget resubmitted in February 2025. As a result of this, the PNGOC has resolved to drop sports who have made partial payments or no payments to date to ensure it operates within its limited budget to prepare and send Team PNG to participate in the Games.
The original due date for levy payments was 16 May 2025, and teams are now required to complete their outstanding balances by the new deadline of 18 June to participate in the Team PNG contingent to the Mini Games. The PNGOC Board resolved during its executive meeting on 5 June that any sports team failing to pay the full levy of K2,000 per athlete and official by this new deadline will not be eligible to travel and participate in the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau. This decision follows multiple extensions and ample notice provided to National Federations.
The total budget required for participation at this years 2025 Palau Pacific Mini Games is K4,104,844.00. It costs K10,554.27 to take one athlete to the Mini Pacific Games. This cost covers, Airfares, accommodation, meals and transport on ground, medical and medical insurance and an allowance. However, this does not factor into place the additional costs taken on by the PNGOC to prepare each games sports with funding to ensure the athletes and teams are competitive at the games.
The levies were invoiced one year prior to the Games, allowing National Federations sufficient time to raise the necessary funding. However, the levies received from the sports only cover a fraction of the total costs to send Team PNG to the Games. The PNGOC has taken on the responsibility of raising the remaining funds, covering most expenses associated with both preparing and transporting Team PNG.
Emma Waiwai, President of the PNGOC, emphasized the critical nature of these fees for supporting Team PNG’s preparations and managing the teams’ needs during the Games. She urged National Federations to fulfill this responsibility and pay the levies for their athletes and teams.
“The PNGOC is currently funding Team PNG’s preparations to Palau by itself in 2025. Without confirmation of government support to date, we are left with no choice but to work within the limitations of our own budget,” said Waiwai. “Unfortunately, this means we may have to drop sports that have not fully paid their levies, made only partial payments, or failed to pay altogether.”
Chef de Mission to the Palau Mini Games, Kinivanagi Karo, expressed concern that the current situation jeopardizes Team PNG's chances to defend its title as the reigning Pacific Mini Games Champions. Failure to send a full team, as required by the Pacific Games Council, may also result in penalties for Team PNG.
The PNGOC has been diligently working to raise funds through initiatives such as the Trukai Fun Run and the Prime Minister’s Corporate Golf Challenge to support Team PNG. Waiwai also appealed to businesses and stakeholders for additional financial support to help Team PNG achieve its goals.
“Be part of Team PNG’s journey and celebrate our country’s 50th anniversary of independence through successful and memorable performances by our elite athletes at the Pacific Mini Games,” she added.
Chef de Mission Karo reiterated his hope to see all endorsed athletes and teams board the plane to Palau, encouraging them to remain optimistic and focused on their goals.
“We aim to top the medal tally again, and I believe our athletes are capable of achieving this with the right support,” said Karo.
Team PNG returns to the Mini Games to defend its first-place finish on the medal tally from the last Mini Games held in Northern Marianas in 2022. This year’s Mini Games will occur in Palau’s capital city, Koror, from 29 June to 9 July. The final Team PNG contingent will depart Port Moresby on 26 June for the Games.
