Aside from the Oceania Competition games, all the teams participated in a 3-on-3 basketball tournament that was held at the Micronesian Mall. All the players were divided into teams made up of 5 players and competed against each other in a fun competition promoting unity and friendship amongst the players. During the Tournament, there were a series of clinics every morning for all the players including fitness testing, player skill development, HIV/AIDS education, and Anti-Doping Education.
During the tournament, players were nominated by their coaches and were observed throughout the tournament on their performance. At the closing ceremony of the tournament, an All-Star Oceania team for the men and women each consisting of 10 players, all-star coaches, and all-star referees were announced. This Oceania All-Star Team (both men & women) will have the opportunity to participate in the 2009 Australian Under 20 Championship in Townsville, Australia next February representing the Oceania Region. For the first time in history, a Palauan athlete namely Mr. Perry Oiterong was selected as a member of the men’s all-star team and Ms. Jubilee Kuartei as the all-star referee travelling with the women’s team. Oiterong joins athletes from Tahiti, Fiji, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, and Guam. Both Oiterong and Kuartei will need to fundraise the equivalent of $600 Australian Dollars each as their participation fee and will travel to Townsville to meet the Oceania team for the competition next year. Both are excited for this once-in-a lifetime opportunity and look forward to the preparation and training required to attend such an event. All these opportunities are made possible through the Palau Basketball Federation programs spearheaded by National Basketball Development Officer Kazuki Sungino and through the Palau National Olympic Committee. Please include the above story in your next issue. If you have questions, please feel free to call me at 488-4446. I’ve also attached pictures. The first picture is of the all-star team as they were called up at the closing ceremony. The second picture, is just a clipping of myself in referee gear at the tournament in Guam. Thank you very much!!!
