A report from Samoa that Tonga “is putting its hand up to host the 2027 Pacific Games” was refuted by TASANOC Secretary General Takitoa Taumoepeau this morning.

“We haven't put in a bid and haven't indicated that,” he told Matangi Tonga.

“No. What they [the Pacific Games Council] are saying is: would we like to put in a bid?” he said.

Takitoa has remained in Tonga, while the Tonga Amateur Sports Association and National Olympic Committee (TASANOC) President Lord Tupou and board member 'Amanaki Fakakovikaetau went to Samoa for the Pacific Games. They were Tonga's delegation to the meeting of the Pacific Games Council Annual General Assembly on Sunday, at the Sheraton Samoa Hotel.

The Samoa Observer reported yesterday July 15 that Tonga had put in a bid for 2027, as one of six countries in the region that has expressed an interest in hosting the biggest sporting event in the Pacific.

But Takitoa questioned the accuracy of this report.

“I can confidently say that we have not discussed this and haven't put up a bid.

“After our last foray and losing the 2019 Pacific Games, we are not in the mood for bidding.”

Takitoa said that TASANOC's relationship with the Pacific Games Council had improved following “a few informal discussions.”

“Once they found out that Tonga’s withdrawal was not a government [Cabinet] decision and was just something between 'Akilisi [Pohiva] and Fred [Lord Sevele] they knew it wasn't really a government decision.”

Takitoa said that going forward he believed it would require close co-operation between TASANOC and government for Tonga to commit to another hosting bid.

“The government has to be behind it and a change of government should not mean that our commitment changes.”

He said that Tonga was not ready to put in another bid. “In the current climate it doesn't feel right.”