Baklai Temengil has once again made history for Palau, being elected as the first female president of the Oceania National Olympic Committee (ONOC) during its quadrennial General Assembly in Tumon. This landmark achievement highlights a significant step toward gender equality in sports leadership within the region.
In her acceptance speech, Temengil expressed her gratitude for the confidence bestowed upon her by the member nations, acknowledging the presence of other passionate leaders among the candidates. “I was very humbled in the confidence and trust of the members to allow that opportunity for me as a nominee for ONOC president,” she stated.
Temengil, who has served as the secretary-general for the Palau National Olympic Committee (PNOC) for many years, takes over from Robin Mitchell of Fiji, who held the presidency since 2009. The election also saw Emma Waiwai from Papua New Guinea being elected as the vice president, alongside Ricardo Blas of Guam returning as Secretary General.
This election is a continuation of efforts to promote female leadership in sports, similar to the recent election of Emma Waiwai as the first female president of the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee, which reflects a growing recognition of the need for diversity within sports administration.
Following these elections, the newly formed ONOC Executive Board aims to foster the Olympic movement and support the National Olympic Committees throughout Oceania. The collective experience of the board’s members is set to guide the strategic directions of the organization, ensuring continuous growth and success for the member nations.
The assembly highlighted the commitment of ONOC to champion athlete development, promote Olympic values, and strengthen the sporting landscape across the Oceania region. The collaborative spirit shown at the General Assembly reinforces the unity of the Olympic movement, fostering hope for a bright future in sports in Oceania.
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