A Tongan-designed King’s Baton for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games was revealed in Nuku'alofa this week, ready for Tonga to take its turn in the worldwide relay, which leads up the Games opening in July. The relay is associated with a global Clean Ocean Inititiative which starts next week on Tongatapu.
This year, for the first time, each country will express its own cultural identity with locally-designed batons.
The Tonga Association of Sport and National Olympic Committee (TASANOC) presented Tonga's Baton to British High Commissioner HE Mr. Philip Malone on Tuesday 9 December.
Secretary General Netina Latu Vea said the Tonga Commonwealth Games Association selected master carver Sitiveni Fehoko to craft Tonga’s Baton. His detailed carvings on Scottish Ashwood honour Tonga’s deep ocean heritage and its early leadership in Pacific seafaring and navigation.
The King’s Baton is a symbol of unity among the 74 nations and territories participating in next year’s Commonwealth Games in July and August.
As the countdown begins, each nation takes its turn in the spotlight to feature a Baton it designed itself.
The Glasgow Games King’s Baton Relay began in March 2025 in the Caribbean and has since continued through parts of Africa and Asia. This year’s Relay is the longest and most inclusive in Commonwealth Games history, taking place over a 500-day journey.
Tonga takes part in this worldwide event from 1-7 February 2026 when the Baton will tour aged-care homes, community centres, and Vaiola Hospital—bringing the spirit of the Games to Tongatapu.
After Tonga, the Relay continues throughout the South Pacific and the Americas, arriving in Glasgow in July for the Games’ Opening Ceremony.
Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign
During the relay week in Tonga, church groups, community organisations, and government leaders will unite for three days of beach and waterfront clean-ups across Tongatapu to support the Commonwealth Games’ global Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign to remove one million pieces
of plastic from the world’s waterways during the Relay.
Netina said that Tonga CGA will contribute to this campaign starting next week with a series of free “Come and Try” community sports sessions and clean ocean community education activities during the holidays.
Children aged 9-12 years living in waterfront communities are invited to join in basketball, netball, swimming and volleyball while participating in interactive activities focused on protecting and cleaning Tonga’s beaches and marine environment.
“The King’s Baton Relay represents unity, pride and the shared commitment of all Commonwealth nations. Tonga’s Baton tells our story—our identity, our ocean, and our people. We are honoured to contribute to the global ‘Plastic Free Oceans’ effort and to showcase Tongan creativity and culture through our deep connection to water,” Netina said.
There is more information about the Clean Ocean Education Initiative, on the TASANOC Facebook page.
Programme for Clean Ocean Education Initiative
Tuesday 16 December 2025
WEST COAST VILLAGES
For residents of Ha’atafu, Kolovai, Kanokupolu, ‘Ahau, Ha’avakatolo and Fo’ui. Meet at Kolovai FWC at 9:00am.
Wednesday 17 December 2025
CENTRAL
For residents from Kolomotu’a to Patangata. Meet at Popua Park at 9:00am.
Tuesday/Wednesday 27/28 January 2026
WATERFRONT – EASTERN VILLAGES
For residents from Niutoua to Nukuleka, TBC.
