The next Pacific Mini Games is coming up next year and the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee (PNGOC) is not wasting anytime in preparing to send a contingent from the country to Palau, where the games will be held. The Justification Committee has officially started the evaluation of Team PNG's sports and athletes for the upcoming 2025 Pacific Mini Games, which will be held in Palau from June 30 to July 9th. The committee aims to lay a strong foundation for the Games by ensuring that Team PNG meets eligibility and performance requirements. With 14 sports featured in the 2025 Palau Pacific Mini Games, Team PNG will participate in 11 of them: Archery, Athletics, Swimming, Basketball, Beach and Indoor Volleyball, Va’a, Table Tennis, Softball, Judo, Triathlon, and Weightlifting. However, after careful review, the Justification Committee did not endorse three sports due to non-compliance with the committee’s requirements. Full endorsements were granted to Basketball 3x3, Swimming, Table Tennis (including Para), Va’a, Beach and Indoor Volleyball, and Weightlifting. Athletics and Softball received provisional endorsements, pending the submission of executive meeting minutes and approval of their Selection Policy. Final decisions will depend on meeting these outstanding compliance criteria. National Federations must submit athlete details for preliminary endorsement before October 31st, 2024, for the committee to conduct review meetings from February 24 to 28, 2025. Although these meetings will not determine the final team composition, the first round of athlete selections will be completed by March 2025, with the final entry list confirmed by May 16th, 2025. Background checks will ensure that officials have no criminal records, and they must complete mandatory courses on Safeguarding, Anti-Doping, and Prevention of Competition Manipulation. Endorsable roles include Coaches, Assistant Coaches, Team Managers, Assistant Team Managers, and Trainers. A core component of the committee’s endorsement process is the Selection Policy, which must clearly define transparent criteria for athlete selection. Sports bodies are also required to submit high-performance plans outlining strategies to prepare athletes for competitive success. Additionally, National Federations must provide comprehensive lists of athletes and officials, along with evidence of governance and compliance with the standards and regulations of the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee (PNGOC). Sports not endorsed by the committee had until Friday, October 25, 2024, to appeal the decision through the Sports Disputes Tribunal. Chef de Mission, Kinivanagi Karo, will lead Team PNG at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games. Participation is contingent upon meeting all outlined requirements within the designated timelines, ensuring that both athletes and officials are fully prepared to represent the nation.