Hekari United FC's Nelson Karaun and Central Coast FC's Hudson Oreinima. OFC Men's Champions League 2025, Hekari United FC v Central Coast FC, National Stadium, Honiara, Monday 31 March 2025. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / www.phototek.nz Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.nz
Football
The Oceania Football Champions' League continues on Wednesday with Group A playing their second games.
Rewa FC, from Fiji, and AS Pirae from Tahiti, are first up at the Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara, Solomon Islands.
Both teams lost their first games and are looking for their first competition points.
In the later game, Auckland FC takes on Tiga Sport - both of which won their first matches on Sunday.
Group B fixtures continue on Thursday.
Mini Games
The Palau National Olympic Committee says the country is almost ready for the 2025 Mini Games, kicking off in late June.
The Palau Island Times reported 12 different sports will be part of the Games program.
Committee secretary general Baklai Temengil said they have worked around the clock to get everything ready.
The event will feature athletes from around the Pacific Islands, including from Australia and New Zealand.
Basketball
The Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea has announced former national representative Gabriel Elavo as coach for the 3x3 team.
The Post Courier reported Elavo retired from national duties in 2022 following the FIBA Melanesian Cup.
The appointment comes ahead of the FIBA 2025 Asia Cup Qualifiers, which will take place in Singapore.
Wrestling
The Samoa Wrestling team has returned home with five gold medals from the Oceania Wrestling Championships in Pago Pago.
Talamua Online reported the team also claimed two silver medals at the event.
Shane Palemia won three gold medals in the men's 97kg division.
Gaku Akazawa won two gold and one silver, while Jeremiah Tipamaa claimed a silver.
Special Olympics
Special Olympics Papua New Guinea has trained 23 youths to mentor athletes with intellectual disabilities.
The programme focused on the roles and responsibilities of mentors within the Special Olympics framework.
The Post Courier reported Ectopia Ame, acting programme manager for Special Olympics PNG, saying their goal is to challenge stereotypes, raise awareness, and promote inclusivity within society.
Aquatics
Samoa was one of multiple countries to benefit from €4.1 million in funding from World Aquatics in 2024.
The support enabled Samoa to send 14 athletes to international events, including the Oceania Swimming Championships and Junior Pan Pacific Championships, with support from coaches, managers, technical officials, and media personnel.
In American Samoa, funding went towards community-based water safety events.
Inside the Games reported that through the funding programme, national federations worldwide are driving initiatives to support athletes, coaches, and the aquatic sports society.
