31 May 2017

Council aims to change Tonga's mind over Games cancellation

3:18 pm on 31 May 2017

The Pacific Games Council has secured a meeting with the Tongan government in an attempt to change the mind of the Prime Minister after he declared the hosting of the 2019 event was off.

Tongan prime minister 'Akilisi Pohiva meets with the Pacific Games Council in 2015.

Tongan prime minister 'Akilisi Pohiva meets with the Pacific Games Council in 2015. Photo: Supplied/Pacific Games Council

'Akilisi Pohiva has said the games will have a detrimental effect on the economy, despite both the previous and current finance ministers stating the opposite.

The head of the local Games Organising Committee, Lord Sevele, said the Pacific Games Council is willing to work with the government to allay its fears.

"The President and the Executive Director are coming over on Monday and having a meeting with government in an attempt to see whether and how best all sides can review the hosting of the games by Tonga in an attempt to make it happen."

Lord Sevele was earlier sacked by Mr Pohiva as head of the local committee but then reinstated by order of the Chief Justice.

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