Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Football
The OFC Men's Champions League 2025 kicks off in Solomon Islands on Sunday, with a spot available to qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup in 2026.
Auckland City, OFC's top club side in 2024, will compete at this year's tournament in June.
They will defend their OFC club title in Honiara, starting against Tahiti's AS Pirae on Sunday.
Pool matches will run until Sunday, 6 April before the semifinals on 9 April.
The final is scheduled for Saturday, 12 April.
Mini Games
The Palau National Olympic Committee says the country is almost ready for the 2025 Mini Games, kicking off in late June.
The Palau Island Times reported 12 different sports will be part of the Games program.
Committee Secretary General Baklai Temengil said they have worked around the clock to get everything ready.
The event will feature athletes from around the Pacific Islands, including from Australia and New Zealand.
Basketball
The Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea has announced former national representative Gabriel Elavo as coach for the 3x3 team.
The Post Courier reported Elavo retired from national duties in 2022 following the FIBA Melanesian Cup.
The appointment comes ahead of the FIBA 2025 Asia Cup Qualifiers, which will take place in Singapore.
Wrestling
The Samoa Wrestling team has returned home with five gold medals from the Oceania Wrestling Championships in Pago Pago.
Talamua Online reported the team also claimed two silver medals at the event.
Shane Palemia won three gold medals in the men's 97kg division.
Gaku Akazawa won two gold and one silver, while Jeremiah Tipamaa claimed a silver.
Special Olympics
Special Olympics Papua New Guinea has trained 23 youths to mentor athletes with intellectual disabilities.
The programme focused on the roles and responsibilities of mentors within the Special Olympics framework.
The Post Courier reported Ectopia Ame, acting programme manager for Special Olympics PNG, saying their goal is to challenge stereotypes, raise awareness, and promote inclusivity within society.
Aquatics
Samoa was one of multiple countries to benefit from €4.1 million Euros in funding from World Aquatics in 2024.
The support enabled Samoa to send 14 athletes to international events, including the Oceania Swimming Championships and Junior Pan Pacific Championships, with support from coaches, managers, technical officials, and media personnel.
In American Samoa, funding went towards community-based water safety events.
Inside the Games reported that through the funding programme, national federations worldwide are driving initiatives to support athletes, coaches, and the aquatic sports society.
