Palau is located in the northwest of the Pacific Ocean in the Micronesian region of Oceania. Its closest Oceania neighbours are Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and Federated States of Micronesia, while its closest Asian neighbours are the Philippines and Indonesia. Comprising over 300 islands and with a population of approximately 18,000 people, Palau gained independence in 1994 and offers pristine beaches, scuba diving and snorkelling as key tourism drawcards.
Palau’s capital is Ngerulmud while its main commercial hub is Koror, which is where ITTF-Oceania Development Officer Hongbo Liang visited from 28 February to 14 March for an Oceania Development Program visit.
Across a fruitful and productive two weeks, focus was on:
- Conducting a training camp for the national team.
- Conducting a competition.
- Undertaking school visits.
- Providing a competitionmManagement education session.
- Holding key meetings with the Palau National Olympic Committee, Japanese Embassy and the Australian Embassy.
Palau became an ITTF Member Association in 1997 and have been active participants ever since. They regularly win medals at the quadrennial Micronesian Games, hold national level events and regularly compete at the Pacific Games, Pacific Mini Games and Oceania Championships. Most recently, Palau hosted the 2025 Pacific Mini Games, which has created some momentum towards the next phase of growth and development in the country. With ongoing support and guidance, it is hoped that the potential of the current generation will be realised.
ITTF-Oceania thanks Table Tennis of Palau President Dillon Meriang and his Executive for their support to enable this successful visit to take place. ITTF-Oceania also thanks the Palau National Olympic Committee, under the guidance of Secretary General Baklai Temengil, for their support in contributing to the visit, and ITTF for their ongoing support of the Oceania Development Program, which provides Oceania Member Associations with support where it’s needed most.