About PNOC

The Palau National Olympic Committee (PNOC) achieved recognition by the International Olympic Committee in 1999.

Its President is Mr Frank Kyota and its Secretary General is Ms Baklai Temengil.  

The PNOC has a close relationship with the Government of Palau and works through the Office of the Vice President to assist with the development of sport in the country.

It also fulfils its mandate to select, prepare and lead athletes to the Olympic Games and performs the same role for the South Pacific Games (now Pacific Games) and the Micronesia Games. It has its own office in Koror, Palau.

The National Context
For background, Palau was part of the UN Trust Territory under US administration for about thirty years (westernmost cluster of the Caroline Islands) and opted for independence in 1978 instead of joining the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). It has been under a Compact of Free Association with the US since 1994.

It has topography varying from high, mountainous terrain to low coral islands with a combined land area of 459 sq. km. Natural resources include forests, minerals (mainly gold), marine products and deep-seabed minerals.

Its economy is dominated by tourism, fishing, and subsistence agriculture. It also relies on financial support from the US via the Compact. Palau’s exports include shellfish, tuna, and other fish species while imports are chiefly food, machinery, fuel, and metals.

Challenges and the importance of sport
Similar to other Pacific island countries, Palau’s challenges include waste management, climate change impacts, depleting sand and coral due to heavy extraction, illegal and destructive fishing practices, obesity, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and natural hazards such as cyclones.

Highlights

1997

ONOC and the ASP 2000 Sports Programme provides technical assistance to the Palau Sports Federation (PSF) enables finalisation of application for IOC recognition.

1998

The IOC provides provisional recognition to the Palau National Olympic Committee (PNOC).

Hosts the Micronesian Games (sub-regional level).

1999

PNOC achieves recognition by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

2005

Hosts the Mini South Pacific Games.

Get in touch with

Our Leadership

Palau National Olympic Committee (PNOC)
P.O. Box 155 Koror
PALAU 96940

Frank Kyota
President
Baklai Temengil
Secretary General

Stay informed with our updates

By clicking Sign Up you're confirming that you agree with our Terms and Conditions.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.