With two weeks left for the start of the 2017 Belau Games on June 23, 2017, the Palau Governors' Association on June 7, 2017 wrote to the President of the Palau National Olympic Committee (PNOC) asking to postpone the games due to the outbreak of Dengue Epidemic and the anticipated severe drought in August.

As of the press time, no response from PNOC President Frank Kyota or CCA Minister and PNOC Secretary General Baklai Temengil has been released whether the games will proceed or not and either of the officials could not be contacted.

Thirteen Palau governors except governor of Angaur, Sonsorol and Hatohobei signed the letter including the Association's chairman Koror Governor Yositaka Adachi, vice-chairman Peleliu Governor Temmy Shmull, Secretary Ngaremlengui Governor Mary Frances Remengesau and Treasurer Ngatpang Governor Jersey Iyar.

The letter states "We, the Governors agree and will continue support the Belau Games as it is an important opportunity to showcase youth empowerment, however, the threat of having them infected, is a huge risk the Governors are not willing to take. Additionally, the Vice President, Minister of Justice and the Chairman of the NEC, the honorable Raynold Oilouch reported at the meeting yesterday that the National Emergency Committee anticipates a severe drought in August. This is yet another important cause to postpone the Belau Games."

The letter conclude saying that the "postponement will give the Ministry of Health as well as the state governments the opportunity to concentrate its efforts on controlling the dengue outbreak. Furthermore, the postponement will allow the Governors to prepare their states for the impending drought."

Source: Tia Belau