The Pacific Games Council and Tonga Sports Association National Olympic Committee have filed a civil suit against the Tonga government for breach of contract for withdrawing from hosting the 2019 Pacific Games.

The Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa confirmed today that the plaintiffs filed the claim on May 15 and await a certificate of service to confirm whether the claim has been served on the defendant.

Once a certificate of service is filed, the defendant must file their statement of defence within 28-days from the date the claim was served on them.

It is understood that the claim has been served to the Prime Minister’s Office on May 16, and received by the Acting Attorney General from the PM's Office on May 22.

In the meantime, the Prime Minister Hon ‘Akilisi Pohiva during a press conference on May 23 commented that they are preparing for the case.

He said as this is a legal issue he did not think it was wise to comment on the case now, but may be later.

On May 17, 2017 it was announced that Cabinet had ordered the cancellation of Tonga’s hosting of the 2019 Games, citing the enormous challenge of mobilising finance and the impact of the cost on our budget deficit.