Women’s Rugby banned from Government Schools

Interesting logic. I believe that we should ensure that we preserve Tongan women dignity by not allowing them any jobs but to stay at home.

It seems that Ministers of the Tonga Government and their officials are all following their own logic. Whether it's the Minister, the Acting CEO or whoever is responsible for signing the letter to stop girls from playing rugby and boxing, one thing is clear. They are all ignoring the recent plea from His Majesty Tupou 6 to work together. Working together means to talk to each other, discuss the issues/problems so that you arrive at a solution that those you have talked with are going to help to implement. In this case, if it was to preserve Tonga culture and tradition. Isn't there a recently revived Traditions Committe which includes some church leaders? Isn't there a School Principals Association - were they consulted? I just read that the Hon PM of NZ is going to direct aid to sports directly to the villages rather than giving the aid money to the present Tonga Government. No wonder our beloved country is in such a mess - it seems that those who have been appointed to high positions all want to be "king". Doesn't our country have more important priorities to attend to than stopping girls/young women from playing the sports of their choice? Looking forward to the return of one and only King to the last remaining Polynesian Kingdom.

RE: “The reason is because it is against our culture to maintain dignity of women so it still upholds the tradition of which its basis had been set out since the olden days making Tonga exceptional in the Pacific and the world.”

Two observations of Captain James Cook, who visited Tonga in the 18th century

1. This entertainment was sometimes suspended for
a short space, and the intervals of time were filled
up with wrestling and boxing matches. The first
were performed in the manner practised at Tahiti,
and the second differed very little from the English
manner. A couple of stout wenches next stepped
forth, and without ceremony began boxing with as
much dexterity as the men. This contest, however,
was but of short duration, for in the space of half a
minute one of them gave it up. The victorious heroine
was applauded by the spectators in the same
manner as the successful combatants of the other
sex. Though we expressed some disapprobation at
this part of the entertainment, it did not hinder two
other females from entering the lists, who seemed to
be spirited girls, and if two old women had not interposed
to part them, would probably have given
each other a good drubbing. At least three thousand
spectators were present when these combats
were exhibited, and every thing was conducted with
the most perfect good humour on all sides; though
Some of the champions of both sexes received blows
which they must have felt the effects of for some
time after.

2. While the natives were in expectation of this
evening exhibition, they engaged, for the greatest
part of the afternoon, in wrestling and boxing. They
preserve great temper in these exercises, and leave
the spot without the least displeasure in their countenances.
Not only boys engage in both these exercises;
but it not infrequently happens, that little girls box
with great obstinacy.

Malo Lahi for this information. Mata'utu. I hope that the media people and everybody draws this to the attention of the Minister, the Education Ministry's staff to enlighten those responsible for this decision. The story has generated a lot of adverse publicity for our present Government and our country throughout the world. It seems that the supporters of sport do not support our Minister's decision. I have just read that Tonga's flag bearer to the Commonwealth Games is a young woman boxer Megan Maka. Congratulations Ms Maka. Let's all hope and pray that the return of His Majesty and the coming Easter break will help to enlighten our Prime Minister, his appointed Ministers and supporters. Blessed Easter to y'all.