A new national sports institute is expected to start training young athletes in July this year, at the Tonga National Centre in Tofoa, Tongatapu.

‘Onetoto ‘Anisi, a Deputy CEO of the Sports Division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs revealed the plan for the new Tonga Institute of Sports, during a National Sports Federation Workshop at the Catholic Basilica, yesterday May 22.

He said the institute would to start training Tonga's young people in various sports in preparation for the South Pacific Games 2019 and other international events.

To be funded by the Government of Tonga, the training will target 15-16 year-olds. National sports organisations will be asked to nominate their participants for the programme to be conducted after regular school hours by contract coaches. There will be no charge for the trainees.

He said the Ministry was aiming to start the training with 100 young people.

“Government has set their budget to fund the academy, which will start in the new financial year in July 2015,” he said. The amount budgeted has not been released.

Tu‘ivaita Ueleni has been named as the Manager of the new institute.

The institute will be launched by King Tupou VI on Tuesday 30 June during a Sports Day, which is part of the Coronation Week celebrations. The National Sports Federation will hold a float parade through central Nuku‘alofa to the Teufaiva Outdoor Stadium where they will put on a sports performance for the King

Attending the workshop were representatives from judo, archery, triathlon, athletics, swimming, rowing, badminton and other sports.