Guam will send its first-ever delegation to the 2025 World Indigenous Traditional Games in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, marking a historic milestone for the island’s cultural and athletic representation. The 27-member team, announced Thursday by the Department of Chamorro Affairs, will compete December 6–13 in traditional archery, wrestling, music and dance, road running, weight carrying, and tug-of-war.
More than 300 athletes from Indigenous communities worldwide are expected to participate, including representatives from Palau, Japan, New Zealand, Canada, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Organized by Taiwan’s Council of Indigenous Peoples, the Games highlight ancestral knowledge, traditional sport, and cultural resilience — values that Guam officials say align closely with the island’s cultural mission.
Governor Lou Leon Guerrero lauded the announcement, calling the delegation’s participation “a meaningful moment for Guam.” Lt. Governor Josh Tenorio noted that the athletes will carry Guam’s heritage to the international stage, while DCA President Melvin Won Pat-Borja said the event strengthens Guam’s presence in global Indigenous advocacy. GVB President Régine Biscoe Lee added that the Games deepen connections to the island’s Austronesian roots.
Guam’s delegation includes athletes across six disciplines, supported by staff members and Head of Delegation Vincent Reyes. The team features both emerging practitioners and seasoned cultural athletes who will represent the Chamorro people in their first appearance at the global event celebrating Indigenous identity and tradition.