Tonga's national sports team “Timi Tonga” for the 17^th Pacific Games began arriving in Honiara, Solomon Islands, today, six days ahead of the official opening there on Sunday 19 November.

Tonga will be represented in 17 disciplines out of the 24 offered in 2023, with 320 athletes and officials, making the largest contingent ever sent by Tonga.

Timi Tonga manager Mrs Suliana Afu, with 133 team members, left Fua'amotu International Airport this morning, on a Fiji Airways flight chartered with a grant from the Tonga Government. Other athletes will travel on commercial flights.

Athletes and officials from Archery, Boxing, Basketball, Football, Hockey, Taekwondo, Judo, Tennis, Table Tennis and Volleyball were greeted by the Chef de Mission, Mr Hiko Fungavaka, who travelled to Honiara ahead of the team.

The Rugby League 9’s will travel to the Solomons on commercial flights on Thursday, while athletics will be last to leave Tonga on Thursday 23 November.

Solomon Islands is hosting the Pacific Games for the first time, and is the 7^th country host, since the inaugural event in 1963 in Fiji. Tonga is one of the 17 member participating nations. Competitions start this week and run until 2 December.

Soccer, tennis, table tennis, volleyball and basketball will start their competitions on 18 November, ahead of the Official Opening

Archery, Rugby 7’s and Rugby League 9’s, Judo, Golf, Swimming and Weightlifting will be contended during the first week of competition.

Boxing, Hockey, Netball, Taekwondo, Athletics will battle it out on the second week. 

Netball’s Tala is favourite to win gold, after a stellar performance in the Netball World Cup earlier this year.

TASANOC stated that it was grateful for the support of the Tonga Government which had ensured that the sports team could travel to the Solomons. It also acknowledged the Government of the People’s Republic of China for assistance towards preparation of Timi Tonga by sending 11 coaches of different sports through the Tonga-China Technical Sports Program. The coaches were in country for four weeks in the lead-up to the team's departure.

Timi Tonga are staying in the Sinu Kukum Village on Prince Philip Highway in Honiara.

After the Games close on Saturday 2 December and a return charter flight will return to Tonga with the athletes and officials.  Overseas based players will travel into to Honiara and depart to their various homes afterwards.

“After all the hardship of COVID and the past couple of years the Pacific nations are looking forward to coming together to celebrate the Pacific Games, a celebration of sport and culture in common bonds,” TASANOC stated.