PALAU (Koror) – A delegation of 164 athletes, coaches, and officials from Palau is confirmed for the upcoming Micro Games in the Marshall Islands. The first group is scheduled to depart on June 12, 2024.
The Palau National Olympic Committee (PNOC) provided an update on the team, which consists of 136 athletes and 28 officials, including coaches, management, media personnel, medical staff, and technical officials.
Palau will be represented in 13 sports: Athletics, Aquatics, Basketball (3×3 and 5×5 for men only), Beach Volleyball, Indoor Volleyball, Micro All Around (men only), Softball (women only), Spearfishing (men only), Table Tennis, Weightlifting, and Wrestling.
The PNOC report details expenses of $326,000 for travel and a daily participation fee of $45,920. The Senate recently allocated $350,000 for the Micro Games, leaving a current funding gap. The Senate bill has been passed and sent to the House of Delegates for consideration.
With the Games just weeks away, the funding for Palau’s participation remains tied to a supplemental budget bill currently under review by both houses of Congress.
If the House approves the Senate’s version of the bill without changes, funding could be released next week. However, if the House opposes any of the Senate amendments, the bill may enter a conference committee, potentially causing further delays in securing funding for the Games. In the meantime, athletes are actively fundraising to cover additional costs.