Thursday, October 20, 2016- On Thursday, October 20, 2016 a christening ceremony for two (2) outrigger racing canoes was held at the Diangelera Idederach (Dock) of Palau Community College (PCC). Father Wayne Tkel, S. J. from the Palau Catholic Mission was present to bless the canoes that will be used by the PCC Mesekiu Paddling Team in the 18th Micronesia.
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Cup. Also present at the canoe christening ceremony were Mr. Antonio Lomisang, PCC President Dr. Patrick U. Tellei, PCC Director of Finance Uroi Salii, PCC Dean of Academic Affairs Robert Ramarui, and the PCC Physical Plant Staff. PCC was able to raise money to procure the racing canoes that were made locally by Airai Fiberglass.
Held every year, the Micronesia Cup is an even open to all paddling teams from the Pacific region. This year’s tournament is being organized by the Palau National Olympics Committee (PNOC) under the direction of Palau Minister of Community & Cultural Affairs Baklai Temengil.
The tournament divisions are Open, Mix Masters, and Juniors. Race events are 500 meters, 1500 meters Sprint with Turns, 10 Kilometer Long-Distance for Juniors, 15 Kilometer Long-Distance for Women, and 20 Kilometer Long-Distance for Men. A V1 500 Meter Spring Race for Open is scheduled for Friday, October 21, 2016. About 200 paddlers from outside of Palau and about 100 paddlers from Palau to participate in the event.
The Micronesia Cup was founded by Ms. Linda Yeomans , a founding members of the Outrigger Canoe Club in Guam. The event serves as an opportunity for increasing the caliber of competition in the region and foster friendship among the islands.
The 2016 Micronesia Cup will take place at the Meyuns Seaport Ramp in Koror from Friday, October 21, 2016 to Sunday, October 23, 2016.
PHOTO CAPTION: Mr. Antonio Lomisang (third from left), PCC Director of Finance Uroi Salii (fourth from left), Palau Catholic Mission Father Wayne Tkel S. J. (fifth from left), Master Navigator Sesario Sewralur (sixth from left), PCC President Dr. Patrick U. Tellei (seventh from left), and PCC Dean of Academic Affairs Robert Ramarui (fifth from right) with the PCC Physical Plant Staff. [/restrict]