The Palau Visitors Authority (PVA) and the Belau Triathlon Federation (BTF) are set to meet with the Chinese Taipei Triathlon Association in Taiwan today, September 25, to finalize discussions on the planned sports tourism exchange to be held in Palau next year.
PVA Operations and Program Director Kadoi Ruluked told the media that the planned triathlon event is eyed to bring in more than 300 participants from Taiwan and other countries in Asia Pacific.
Officials from PVA and BTF are currently in Taiwan to attend different the 2018 Yilan National Triathlon Championships. The recently concluded sports event in Taiwan had brought in 3,450 participants and around 350 junior triathletes.
BTF Vice President Paul Zipagan was among those who joined the Olympic race.
Although Zipagan did not make it on the top 10 finishers, he was able to finish the challenging course which comprised of 1.5-km swim, 40-km bike, and 10-km run.
“It’s amazing to compete at this level, it’s very well organized, a lot of participants are grateful for this opportunity,” Zipagan said, who was competing in an international race for the first time.
Meanwhile, BTF President Pascuana Flowers said that joining the event was “quite an experience” as they can learn a lot from it and they hope to replicate its success in the 12th Annual Belau Triathlon event in March 2019. (Rhealyn C. Pojas)