Tonga Crowned Pacific Cup Champions [1]
Friday, March 17, 2006 - 10:11. Updated on Wednesday, October 1, 2014 - 10:30.
Dear Editor
During the recent final ceremony at the British High Commission, the Acting Prime Minister, Dr Feleti Sevele in response to HE Mr Paul Nessling's speech said that now Tongans are faced with formidable challenges. "We were ahead of the rest of the Pacific peoples...but, unfortunately, and rather sadly, we have lost that pride of place. We seem to have lost the traditional Tongan spirit of do-or-die, the will to succeed, and the determination to be among the best." He also said that despite the current difficult economic and political climate, "we Tongans can rise to and overcome the challenges of regeneration and reformation - economically, politically and socially."
Tonga has just won the 2006 Pacific Cup rugby league tournament in Auckland and this must be a delight to all Tongans. Malo ‘aupito to the administrators, the coach and officials and to the players too. The team has definitely lived up to its name Mate Ma‘a Tonga. We certainly look forward for similar good news from the current FORU tournament in Suva and the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.
Ko e koloa ‘a e Tonga ko e fakamalo and the least the government could do is to send the Minister responsible for sports to meet our sports teams on their return and to officially convey the nation's appreciation for their effort and achievements.
‘Ofa atu
Sailosi Finau, Auckland, NZ
sailosifinau [at] yahoo [dot] com [dot] au