By Nazario Rodriguez Jr.
Horizon news staff

The Palau National Olympic Committee has set the date for the 6th Belau Games on June 15-24 in different venues in Koror.
A total of 13 sport events will be contested namely archery, athletics, baseball, basketball, canoe, tennis, softball slowpitch and fastpitch, swimming, table tennis, triathlon, volleyball, beach volleyball and weightlifting.
The Belau Games is held annually to promote goodwill and friendly competitions throughout Palau.
It also promotes the Olympic Spirit and provides a healthy environment and an opportunity to all Palauans to participate in sports programs, identify new talents and potential athletes, continue the development of sports toward regional and international games such as the Micronesian Games, South Pacific and the Olympics.
The event is open to all Palauan citizens and for non-Palauans, who have a five-year residency before the opening ceremony of the 2007 edition.
Also non-Palauans legally married to Palauans and who are permanent residents of Palau must have a one-year residency requirement.
This year’s event will be conducted under rules and regulations of each national federation under the auspices of the PNOC.
Allgames technical management will be under the full discretion of each individual tournament director and the respective sport International Federation regulations.
The Games will be officially tallied by medal count for each sport or event. Medal tally will be based on international rules for each individual and team sport.
There will be a maximum of players per sport; archery (unlimited entry for men and women); athletics (unlimited entry per event); baseball (21 players, 1 coach, 1 Asst.); basketball (15 players, 1 coach, 1 Asst.); canoe (10 paddlers, 1 coach, 1 Asst.), tennis (4 players, 1 coach, 1 Asst.); softball-slowpitch (18 players, 1 coach, 1 Asst.); fastpitch (18 players, 1 coach, 1 Asst.); swimming (unlimited entry per event); table tennis (5 players per team); triathlon (unlimited entry for both men and women); volleyball (15 players, 1 coach, 1 Asst.); beach volleyball (2 players); weightlifting (8 men lifters, 3 reserves, 7 women, 2 reserves); wrestling (unlimited per weight class in 7 weight class.
Members of the PNOC Board that included Frank Kyota, bill Keldermans, Baklai Temengil, Steve Patris and Sen. Caleb Otto made a courtesy call to President Remengesau as well as at the monthly meeting of the Governors Association last Tuesday at the Capitol in Melekeok to get their support.
The PNOC officials discussed their plans for 2007 including the Belau Games, its outreach program and the upcoming Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa.