By Rhealyn C. Pojas
The Belau Youth Games and Festival, a sports event held every two years for the youth, had kicked off on Saturday afternoon, June 23, at the Palau National Gym.
Belau Youth Games and Festival Chairperson Ivan Blessam said that only two states, Airai and Ngiwal, joined the event this year while the rest of the teams were made up of the Koror State Hamlets namely Ngermid, Ngerekesaol, Ngerecemai, Iyebukel, Idid, Meketii, Ongeronger, Ngerbeched, Medalaii, Meyuns, and Ngerkebesang.
The sports events, which will last for 10 days starting June 24, is comprised of nine games and participated by the youth with ages 19 and under.
This year’s Belau youth games is hosted by the Koror State in partnership with the Palau National Olympic Committee (PNOC) and the Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs (MCCA).
The event is held for the purpose of getting “the kids involved in activities” and to “keep the kids busy for the summer”, according to Blessam.