A young male athlete who has represented the Republic of Palau in the athletics event middle distance, achieved a silver medal at the 2008 Oceania Under 18 Championships in CNMI, participated in World Juniors in Poland, represented Peleliu State in the National Belau Games, and have brought many championship trophies on different sports like, basketball, volleyball and track at his local school, Palau High, Douglas Schmidt was clearly the right person to receive the overall Male Athlete of the Year for 2008.
Training in her sport at a very young age of 9, Maria Gibbons has set to give her life dedicated to her sport. She has earned medals, achieved ranks not only in Palau but throughout swimming competitions around the region, at the south pacific level and even world level. On top of that she also tried other sports. At the age of 15, she did her first Triathlon Olympic course. She has represented Koror State in the Belau Youth Games, and has symbolized Palau in the individual sport of swimming. With all her achievement through hardwork she has clearly defined and epitomized her award as Female Athlete of the Year for 2008 in general. As for the other awardees, Tino Faatuula grabbed the Coach of the Year for his commitment, dedication, and every push to ensure a success of a team or a sport program. He is also recognized by providing opportunities for every young Palauan through swimming programs, canoeing, and triathlon. Ongiall Association also received an award as Volunteer of the Year for actively promoting the sport of Softball all throughout Babeldoab. Wallace Rikrik also obtained an award as Technical Official of the Year for doing a superb job on officiating local national basketball programs as well as ensuring the junior development programs through the technical aspect of the game of basketball. As for the Sponsor of the Year, PIDC/George Rechucher grabbed the title for a strong sponsorship of the Sport of Wrestling while continuously working closely with athletes, coaches, sports administrators of programs in meeting objectives, whereas, NECO Group of Companies was dubbed as the Corporate Sponsor for being the key partner in all sport programs in Palau and teams going outside of Palau.
