The Office of the Hon. Minister of Training, Employment, Youth & Sports on behalf of His Majesty...’s Government, has given its full support for the Tonga Sports Association (TASA) to bid for hosting the 2015 Pacific Games. According to the Secretary General of TASA, Takitoa Taumoepeau, the office has received the letter from the Hon. Minister of Sports which they have conveyed to the Secretary General of the Pacific Games Council, Mr Jim Tobin and it has received a very positive and warm reply.

Mr Taumoepeau also added, that during the audience with His Majesty last week for the first Team Tonga, the President Mr Tevita Tupou, conveyed to His Majesty the support from TASA for His Majesty...’s Government intention through the Ministry of Sports and it would be a big boost for sports for Tonga both in development and building of facilities for local use and an economical benefit as well for the country.

The Pacific Games Council meeting will be held in Apia next Sunday 2nd September and attended by President and Secretary Generals from all member countries.

During this meeting, Tevita Tupou, President of TASA will table Tonga...’s intention to bid for 2015.

However, it will be the Pacific Games Council meeting in Rarotonga in 2009 will decide when Tonga will officially bid during that meeting. He said, ...“After the Samoa Games, TASA will then sit down with the Ministry of Sports and start the planning and discussion on the task ahead...”.

According to Mr Taumoepeau, he said he is confident that Tonga will host the 2015 Game. ...“One of the grounds of awarding the host of a Major game to a country is that, that country has already host a Mini Game, and Tonga did that in 1989. It was only some minor problem that Tonga could have bid for the 2011 Game. So we have a very good chance in our area since our neighbour Fiji has done 1979 and 2003, Samoa 1983 and 2007, so it...’s our turn for sure...”.

...“This is a challenge for everyone, whether you...’re in sports or not...”, Mr Taumoepeau added. ...“The benefit to the country of such event is huge both economically and socially...”. But every good thing comes with a price, and it...’s time for everyone to hold hand, put away our differences and work as a team to achieve this goal. It will also benefit all the sporting bodies and National Associations here as once the Game is over, these high standard facilities can be access and use by these local bodies.

Tonga plans to send 7-9 athletes to Beijing Olympic

The TASA office has received the formal invitation for the Tonga National Olympic Committee (NOC) to participate in the XXIXth Olympic Games in Beijing, China next year.

Every NOC must reply before the 28th November, 2007.

Tonga is looking to increase the number of its sports participation for Beijing to about 7-9 athletes from Athletics, Archery, Judo, Tennis and Weightlifting who can go on ...“Wild card Entry...”, and other sports which must qualify are Boxing and Taekwondo.

Tonga sent a team of 5 athletes to Athens in 2004 Olympic Games in Archery, Athletics, Boxing and Judo.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) also subsidizes the participation of NOC covering cost for travel and accommodation as well as athlete...’s preparation towards the Game. TASA, 24/08/07.