Basketball is a big hit this summer with the youth in Palau participating in various basketball competitions throughout the island. The summer games kicked off with the start of the KJBL youth program. A total of 14 teams (6 teams -15U division and 8 Teams -19U division) participated in this 4 week basketball league organized by the Youth division of the Koror State Government headed by Allan Marbou and Gino. Team Ididers won the 15U Championship while Team Peched won the 19U Championship. Island Jam 4 on 4 basketball competitions was held in 3 different outdoor courts throughout the month of July. The first leg was in Ngerbodel Hamlet in Koror State, the 2nd one was held at Ngeremlengui State in the west coast of the big island Babeldaob, and the last leg was held in Ngiwal State in the east cost of the big island Kids ages 10-18 yrs old competed in the various competitions. Balls, T-shirts and other sports prizes were awarded to the particpants of the program. Omkukel a Biblia or Biblical Ministries of Palau were the main sponsors of the events and the focus was to help the youth in character building, team building most important Faith building. Rev. John H. Zimmer, Jim Towberman, Jon Clapp and Joey Helm were the coordinators of the program. The UK Initiative Youth Sports Festival was a one day event held at the Palau High School gym. UK Sports Coordinator Jubilee Kuartei and assistants Kenny Reklai and Corinne Hideos oversaw the event. Prior to the sports festival about 10 high school students and 10 PE teachers from various schools within Palau attended a week seminar conducted by officials from the UK on how to run successful youth festivals. The students were the ones who organized the festival. 1st 18U Belau youth Games (July 14-19). 4 women teams and 5 men teams competed in the basketball competition, the low turnout was due to financial difficulties of most of the state governments in financing their teams for this event. However the youths playing enjoyed the games as they played a round robin format of competition including the playoffs and finals. Girls were allowed to play with the boys in any PBF sanctioned program. It is up to the coach to make that decision.

In the end the youth enjoyed this summer by competing and participating in these various basketball programs and learned quite a few moves and made new friends.  Mesulang to all the organizers, officials, volunteers, fans, players, coaches and families for their support, but most important a big Mesulang to the Almighty Lord for his blessing in the safety of all involved.