Tonga urged to pull together or lose 2019 Pacific Games

Transcript

Tonga's Sports Minister has called on the the country's administrators to work together after the Pacific Games Council warned the country was in danger of losing the 2019 event.

Tonga's preparations for hosting the games have been plagued with political in-fighting and financial issues.

The Games Council has warned the event could be taken away if Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva removed the chair of the organising committee, Lord Sevele.

The Council says the Prime Minister doesn't have the right to make that move.

Fe'ao Vakata told Koro Vaka'uta he is concerned.

FE'AO VAKATA:  What i'm concerned is for the 2019 Pacific Games to be hosted here in Tonga.  Whatever happens on the side is something that I have no control of.  What I want to see is that Tonga will still host the 2019 Games but if it comes to a point where the Pacific Games Council make some decision about some political, whatever happens here in Tonga, I think it's up to them.  What I want to see is Tonga looking to host the 2019 Games.   

KORO VAKA'UTA:  What kind of blow would it be if the Games were taken off Tonga?

FV:  We, Koro, will have a big impact, a big positive, if we host it.  If we don't host it I think it will still be normal for us because we have never hosted a big event like that in the past.  It is something that would be good for us to see and also the emphasising, it would support us trying to revive sports here in Tonga.

KV:  Are you concerned though that the efforts to hold such a great event could be curtailed from things like, as you mentioned, are on the sidelines?

FV:  I guess Koro I have a another bigger responsibility in seeing the facilities updated and built and preparations for our athletes as well.  I suppose whatever happens on the side, I guess it's something that can still be dealt with us here internally.  I just wish and hope that everybody will be working together for the goodness of the country and sports and Tonga sports as well.

KV:  You know with Papua New Guinea and China coming across and offering assistance, would that assistance remain in terms of developing facilities if the Games hosting was taken away?

FV:  The Papua New Guinea one is conditional because we are hosting the Games.  The China aid is phase two of the Tonga High school is going to be built, the new school, and the phase two is the sports complex.  With that phase two we are adding up some other facilities in which we will be using for sports.  China will build and assist us, for example, the swimming pool.  Papua New Guinea one is, I think conditional that we host 2019.

KV:  Is Lord Sevele still on the Games organising committee?

FV:  I would still think that Lord Sevele is on the organising committee.

KV:  Does he have your support as sports minister?

FV:  Um yes, I still support, it's about Tonga.  It's about the whole country.

KV:  You are happy with the organising committee?

FV:  I think they are doing a good job.        

The Pacific Games Council is currently holding their AGM in Port Vila and will discuss the matter there.