Tonga hockey and cricket seasons open [1]
Wednesday, October 1, 2003 - 10:15. Updated on Thursday, May 1, 2014 - 15:34.
The hockey and cricket seasons opening in Tonga on Saturday September 27 with a march along Hala Taufa'ahau, the capital's main street, by the All Tonga Cricket Association and the girls Tonga Hockey Federation.
At Mala'e Pangai the president of the Tonga Hockey Federation, Dr Mohenoa Puloka, told athletes how the two sports had similar beginnings, "as sports for gentlemen."
Mohenoa said that since hockey was introduced by the King a few years ago, as a sport for girls, there were now 17 teams in Tongatapu. A national hockey team represented Tonga in the recent South Pacific Games in Fiji and they were also taking part in the annual Pacific Cup Tournament, in Fiji. Mohenoa said that Fiji was the only island in the region with a proper hockey pitch, but he was hopeful that one day Tonga would be able to build a $3 million hockey pitch of its own.
The hockey season runs from September until December 12, while the cricket season runs until early next year.
Hoatatau Tenisi, the secretary of the All Tonga Cricket Association, said that the one year old ATCA had about 17 registered teams, after breaking away from the Tonga Cricket Association. The executives of ATCA are: Patron, Tamale; President, Tapi Panuve; Deputy President, Fatai Helu; Secretary Hoatatau Tenisi; and Treasurer, Toutai Kuluka.