Pacific Games Council urges Tonga to move swiftly [1]
Friday, February 13, 2015 - 17:51. Updated on Saturday, February 14, 2015 - 11:45.
Tonga is 18 months late in its preparations for the 2019 Pacific Games the visiting Pacific Games Council President Vidhya Lakhan noted today in endorsing the 2019 Pacific Games Master Plan in Nuku’alofa.
He stated his satisfaction with the plan but urged the Tongan Government to endorse the plan.
Mr Lakhan stated, “The PGC Executive Board has urged the Tongan Government to endorse the Master Plan and move swiftly towards its implementation so that venues can be built or refurbished well in advance of the 2019 Pacific Games.”
He said he was pleased with the plan and particularly happy with the convenient location of venues and walking distance.
“We are pleased to see that Tonga’s Master Plan avoids the mistakes that some previous games hosts have made in building venues in locations where few people live and where public transport to these venues is limited.”
“The PGC Executive Board is satisfied that the Master Plan is consistent with ‘Walking Games’ concept, where the majority of the Games venues are located in the main population centre of Nuku’alofa and within walking distance of its schools, which will house the Games athletes. There are 12 schools currently catering for over 6,800 students within walking distance of the Teufaiva Stadium.”
They toured the proposed games venues at the grounds of Tonga High Schoo, Tonga College and the Loto-Tonga Football Comples, as well as Teufaiva Stadium and the Atele Gymnasium.
Tonga’s decision to host the games in 2019 has been controversial. Tonga currently does not have the facilities to host sports such as swimming and field hockey. Many have also expressed their concern with the economic viability of the games, worried that economic loss would outweigh economic gain. However proponents state that the games would result in a growth of infrastructure, employment and investments.