The National Olympic Committees of Oceania (ONOC) held their Annual General Meeting in Guam. Baklai Temengil, Secretary General of the Palau NOC, was elected president of the organization. For the first time in its history, ONOC will be headed by a woman.The 58-year-old leader served as a minister in Palau and has, above all, participated in several editions of the Micronesian Games in an outrigger canoe. The position of vice president will also be female, as Emma Waiwai (Papua New Guinea) has been appointed. Ricardo Blas (Guam) has been elected secretary general.
James Tobin, Catherine Wong, Maureen Tuimaleali'ifano and Marcus Stephen were also elected to the Executive Board. They join Robin Mitchell, Ken Wallace, Auvita Rapilla, Ian Chesterman, Sarah Walker and Jessica Fox and Marcus Daniell, both members of the IOC Athletes' CommissionThe election of this executive office marks " a new chapter for ONOC " according to the body's press release, highlighting the experience and commitment of its members to the advancement of sport on the Oceanian continent : " Their collective expertise will be invaluable in guiding ONOC's strategic direction and ensure continued growth and success for its member nations. »
