By Eleanor Gee

Athletes and officials are still waiting for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and sporting International Federations (IF) to decide how many spots will be allowed for athletes to represent Tonga in their respective sports at the Tokyo Olympic Games, to be held from 23 July to 8 August 2021.

TASANOC Secretary General Takitoa Taumoepeau said today that several sports that had their qualifying events cancelled, including archery, athletics, canoe sprint, judo and weightlifting, are awaiting the decision.

So far, only the International Federation for Swimming has approved two universality places for Tonga, for one female and one male swimmer.

“The Tonga Swimming Federation will name and confirm the two swimmers in the coming weeks,” said Takitoa.

Depending on the confirmation of Universality Places for the other sports, Takitoa said Team Tonga is looking at around 8-9 Athletes with 12 Officials (not counting the Rugby 7's).

“The President and Secretary General are guests of the IOC for the Games.”

Tonga’s Rugby 7’s on the other hand must take part in an Olympic qualifying event held in Monaco on June 19-20. The team will be selected from Tongan players currently in Europe due to COVID-19.

Two Tongans qualified

To date, only two Tongan Taekwondo athletes, Pita Taufatofua and Malia Paseka, qualified for the Olympics early last year before the COVID-19 pandemic caused travel restrictions.

Pita is currently training in Australia while Malia is in Tonga.

Malia told Matangi Tonga one of the challenges she faced is being able to train at an Olympic level and wished the Tongan Government could do more to help her.

“Training here in Tonga is good but I wish I could have all the supplies that I need for my training here compared to overseas.”

She has been trying to get to Australia since last year to train with the best athletes before the Olympics.

“I really wish they [Tongan Government] can help me get to Australia and some funds to pay for my instructor, for he works for nothing.”

Malia stressed that she is not representing herself at the games but “I’m representing my country”.

Meanwhile, kayak athlete, Malakai Ahokava’s dream to compete in a kayak sprint qualifying event with Pita Taufatofua in Russia this month is uncertain. He bought a kayak last year which was shipped to Tonga and has been training on his own.

“We had planned to leave this week but we are waiting for visas.”

“Pita and Paul Sitapa (coach) are waiting for me in Australia but I don’t know what is going to happen.”

He said he will be meeting with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday.

Logistical challenge

With the Olympics only months away and the number of Olympic spots for Tonga not confirmed, TASANOC Secretary General Takitoa Taumoepeau said the ‘waiting game’ is very frustrating.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic around the world has made it difficult to organize Tongan athletes and officials to travel to and from the Olympic games in Tokyo.

Takitoa said it is a logistical challenge when most things are not certain.

“Despite the green light from the IOC and the Government of Japan and the Organizing Committee for the Games to go ahead this year, we are still to abide with a decision by our respective Governments (in terms of border control and similar).”

He said travel is also challenging having to transit through Fiji or New Zealand.

“It looks very unlikely for us to transit via Nadi so it is likely through Auckland.”

Flight restrictions has meant constantly liaising with travel agents and airlines to secure an itinerary, plus the challenge of booking for a quarantine MIQ spot in New Zealand when returning from Tokyo.

“We are working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to look into this requirement too. Also, the need for a visa via Auckland if our transit is more than 24 hours.”

Takitoa hoped it will all work out "as athletes have been training and preparing for four years" and if it didn't then "it would be another long four years wait".