China, NZ, Australia to honour commitments for sporting facilities

Malo for the good news that Australia and New Zealand will continue to provide assistance to upgrade existing sports facilities and to develop specific sports. Apologies from the more friendly islanders to China who continue to be generous despite being demonised by those who should know better. Fake news, fake figures, dated reports and lack of clarity about responsibilities and "official" procedures are some of the ingredients that have created confusion, disappointment & divided the Tongan community and friends everywhere according to FaceBook (FaPa). There seems to be a few obstacles on the path of developing a vibrant consultative democratic inclusive society for Tonga. (Work in Progress). While we are waiting to learn the outcome of the deliberations of the Pacific Games Council, let's hear more good news. What is happening with the priorities for development in the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals. Some that come to mind include providing/generating employment for especially our young people; increasing productive economic activities to strengthen the private sector and the economy; scaling up and finding markets for agriculture production for exports and the local market (food security), reducing NCDs, mental health related problems including caring for the elderly and people living with disabilities; promoting tourism; strengthening the resilience of people to deal with climate change related challenges. Come to think of it, all can be linked to sport so implementing projects and activities to achieve these objectives should begin immediately. This process would be a good start to prepare for hosting the Pacific Games in 2019. If the Tonga Government is penalised for breaking the contract with the Pacific Games Council, then at least the likelihood of achieving some of the targets of the SDGs may be within reach.

“Sport has the power to change the world … to inspire … to unite people ... to overcome barriers … to replace despair with hope especially among the youth and marginalised groups.” Nelson Mandela. Exactly what Tonga needs at this point in time. Not to be assailed with the bickering, negativity of those in power which is beginning to be the only stories being featured by the mainstream media. The theme/slogan which helped Tonga to win the bid to host the 2019 Pacific Games was "OUR PEOPLE OUR GAMES" It's about time to involve the athletes, the sports associations, the rest of the people who were looking forward to be involved in making sure that the visitors to Tonga to watch the Games are provided a programme at the sports facilities and the tourism related activities to ensure that they have a memorable experience of their time in Tonga. Not all the visitors will be watching the sports so the preparations will have to include activities to improve meals at restaurants, tour guides for visitors wanting to visit heritage and cultural sites, visits to where our famous sports stars came from, places to party etc and so on.