By: Eustoria Marie Borja
KOROR, Palau— Palau’s next generation of media professionals is gaining world-class training in sports journalism this week as three award-winning international journalists lead an intensive program to prepare local reporters for the 2025 Pacific Mini Games.
The five-day workshop, running from May 26–30, is designed to empower Palauan journalists to deliver daily 30-minute sports highlight programs across television and social media during the Games. Led by ABC International’s Hugo Hodge, Aaron Kearney OAM, and Sally Eeles, the training emphasizes storytelling techniques that capture the energy, emotion, and human stories behind the athletic action.
Participants are learning how to report beyond the scores—covering the excitement in the stands, the journeys of athletes, and the atmosphere that makes the Games a community celebration.
“This is a rare opportunity for Palau’s media to step up and tell our own stories in our own way,” said Leilani Reklai, President of the Palau Media Council. She thanked the ABC trainers and urged participants to fully engage with the program, calling it an important step in building long-term media capacity in Palau.
Using mobile journalism (MoJo) kits, participants are gaining hands-on experience filming, editing, and producing professional-grade content using smartphones and compact equipment—ideal for fast-paced, real-time coverage of sports events.
Aaron Kearney, an award-winning sports journalist and broadcaster, is sharing his expertise in scripting, interviewing, and storytelling techniques that bring audiences closer to the action. Sally Eeles is working closely with producers and technical staff to enhance visual production skills, program structure, and social media engagement. Meanwhile, Hugo Hodge is leading training in video shooting, daily content planning, and creative storytelling approaches.
The training is made possible through the collaboration of the Palau National Olympic Committee, represented by Secretary General Baklai Temengil, the Australian government through Ambassador Toby Sharp, and the Palau Media Council, with organizational support from the PMG Media Committee, represented by Olkeriil Kazuo.
Participants include members of the Palau Media Council, Youth Reporters Academy, government media teams, and volunteers preparing to cover the Mini Games. Each day of the workshop includes practical exercises, storyboarding, and planning for athlete profiles, medal tallies, and community reactions.
By the end of the week, trainees will be producing their first reports from the field, ensuring Palau is ready to deliver dynamic, locally driven coverage of the 2025 Pacific Mini Games.
This initiative is part of Palau’s broader effort to elevate media standards and ensure that local voices are at the forefront of storytelling during this major regional event.