For the first time in Pacific Games history, every national team participating in the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau is supported by a dedicated safeguarding officer.
This proactive move, led by the Pacific Games Council, signals a regional shift toward prioritizing the safety and wellbeing of athletes and officials.
Complementing this initiative is the Safe Games Team, a group of four regional safeguarding champions representing Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, and Palau. Leading the team is Roshika Deo, Team Up’s GEDSI and Safeguarding Officer, who is also the Games’ official Safeguarding Team Leader.
In a key step toward stronger collaboration, the Safe Games Team hosted a networking session today with safeguarding officers from across the participating nations.
The session created space for sharing on-the-ground experiences, reviewing current protocols, and identifying opportunities to further strengthen safeguarding support during the Games.
Among the standout advocates in this space are Milton Kisapai, a former elite athlete and anti-doping facilitator, and Delisha, a sports administrator and safeguarding facilitator.
Both serve as safeguarding focal points for Team PNG, bringing with them years of expertise in athlete protection and clean sport advocacy.
Together with local service providers, the Safe Games Team and safeguarding officers are working to raise public awareness and ensure clear, accessible pathways for reporting and responding to safeguarding concerns.
These coordinated efforts reflect a growing regional commitment to making sport safe, inclusive, and empowering for all.