To celebrate the Coronation of HM King George Tupou V on August 1, a number of sports tournaments were held in the Tongan capital, Nuku'alofa, from July 15 to August 2.

The competition began on July 15 with an Under-19 Rugby Tournament with six teams battling for the King George V Cup and a $20,000 cash prize. The Tongatapu team defeated Niua 14-11 score to win the KGV Cup at Teufaiva Outdoor stadium on July 25.

The competition attracted teams from Tongatapu, Niua, 'Eua, Ha'apai, Vava'u and a Tongan team from New Zealand.

The Coronation sports tournaments continued with a Cycling Around Tongatapu Coronation Cup Race, Tour de Tongataboo; a Marathon Run for Under 12 years old and Open Grade; a Table Tennis Cup Tournament; Hockey Tournament; Netball Cup Tournament; a Tennis tournament; and the Oceania Volleyball Tournament.

The Coronation sports tournaments concluded with a rugby match between a World XV team which was made up of some international rugby stars against a Tongan XV team.

Results of Coronation Sports Tournament:

Cycling Coronation Cup Race, Tour de Tongataboo (140km)
Saturday 26 July 2008

Winners In Order:
1st place, Pesi Fonua, (Matangi Tonga) 3Hrs.41sec. 12
2nd place, 'Alo Feiloakitau, (Kool Tonga) 3Hrs.41sec.13
3rd place, Sean Torbit, (NZHC) 3Hrs.58sec.23
4th place, Pousima Vaioleti, 4Hrs.27sec.18
5th place, Viliami Kami, 4Hrs.46sec.42
6th place, Alice Duzevich, 4Hrs.53sec.12
7th place, Richard Fraser, 4Hrs.55sec.44

Participants included :
1. Lita Kami
2. Vaipulu Mokofisi
3. Cindy Wizakusuma

See also Coronation Triathlon on Nuku'alofa waterfront [2]

Marathon Run U.12 Yrs
Tu'imatamoana ...– Bus station (1km)
Monday 28 July

Boys
1st place. Kalafi Latu, GPS Fanga
2nd place. Tu'a Finau, GPS.Fanga
3rd place. Tu'a Finau, GPS.Fanga
4th place, Vuni Huihui, GPS.Fanga
5th place. Litoni Tali, GPS.Fanga
6th place. Viliami Hakaumotu, GPS Nuku'alofa

Participants included

1. Sione Vaka,, Tonga Side School
2. Kevini 'Asi,, Fanga
3. 'Inoke Tonga, Nuku'alofa
4. Vaha Leha'uli, Nuku'alofa
5. 'Eti Lotaki, Fanga
6. Nafitalai Tupou, Fanga
7. Sione M Talia'uli, Fanga
8. Nunia 'Alofi, Fanga
9. Takau Latu, Nuku'alofa
10. Sonatane Fonohema, Nuku'alofa
11. Amaka Fonohema, Tonga Side School
12. Hala'api'api Fonohema, Tonga Side School

Girls
1. Lesieli Hafoka, GPS Nuku'alofa
2. Melenaite Mose, GPS Nuku'alofa
3. 'Ana Pepa, GPS Nuku'alofa

Marathon Run Open Grade
'Atele ...– bus stop (7km)
Tuesday 29 July

Boys
1. Taniela Tufunga, Ma'ufanga, 32min30sec
2. Simione Loketi, Aussie Rule Team, 34min 03sec
3. Dylen Harper, Aussie Rule Team, 34min 28sec
4. Fua Pomana, Tonga Defence Service, 35min 04 sec
5. Funaki Fainu, Aussie Rule Team, 36min 38sec
6. Mafua Kio Kata, Assie Rule Team, 38min 27sec
7. Pio Finau, Tonga Defence Force, 38min 41sec
8. Taniela Fihaki, Aussie Rule Team, 38min 50sec
9. 'Aleki Tu'iono, Aussie Rule Team, 39min 11sec
10. Salesi Taufu'i, Aussie Rules Team/TDS, 39min 44sec
11. Fa'one Tamale, Aussie Rule Team, 39min 56sec
12. Lotu Pangi, Aussie Rule Team, 40min 57sec
13. Haneki Malungahu, Aussie Rule Team, 40min 58sec
14. Olioni 'Atu'aki, Aussie Rule Team, 40min 59sec
15. Semisi Fakatene, Aussie Rule Team, 42min 53sec
16. Heneli Loni, Aussie Rule Team, 43min 33sec
17. Semisi Katoa, Aussie Rule Team, 43min 48sec
18. Matavai Taufa, Aussie Rule Team, 44min 33sec
19. Ofa Mata'u, Aussie Rule Team, 44min 50sec
20. Uinikoni Kivalu, Aussie Rule Team, 44min 58sec
21. Puamolevuka Tui, Aussie Rule Team, 45min 02sec
22. Kalasoni Hakalo, Aussie Rule Team, 45min 14sec
23. Tausinga Finau, Aussie Rule Team, 45min 25sec
24. Siaosi Kalu, Aussie Rule Team, 45min 26sec

Table Tennis Coronation Cup Tournament
Thursday 31 July
Venue: Basilica

Beginners Grade
Winner, Samiuela Fungavai, Niutoua Club
1st runner up, Salote Fungavai, Niutoua Club

Women Open Grade:
Winner, 'Eseta Vi, Haveluloto
1st runner up, Barbara Pepa, Vaini Club
2nd runner up, Christine Tu'utafaiva and Longovuka 'Atelea, TCC

Men's Open Pool A
Winner, Manumanu Pepa, Vaini Club
1st runner up, 'One'one Tangimausia, Kaimai Burger
2nd runner up, Nirma Stambo, TCC

Men's Open Pool B
Winner, Sione 'Amo, Vaini
1st runner up, Pita Tavake, TCC
2nd runner up, Ma'ukie 'Otunuku, TCC
3rd runner up, 'Etikino Vaiangina, Ministry of Sports

Hockey Coronation Cup Tournament
Venue: Vaololoa
Thursday 31 July 2008

1st place: Nukunuku
2nd place: Longolongo
3rd place: Matahau

Netball Coronation Cup Tournament
Venue: Vuna Road
Thursday 31 July 2008

1st place: Kolofo'ou
2nd place: Lapaha
3rd place: Kolomotu'a

There were also Friendship games, which included a US Basketball competition and aerobics.

The results for the Tennis Tournament and the Oceania Volleyball competition will be announced soon.

The highlight and the closing sporting contest of the coronation sports events was a rugby match between a Coronation World XV and a Tongan XV on July 31.

The game was organised by 'Epeli Taione, a Tongan rugby star.

The World XV was made up of players from Wales, England, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Samoa. There was the Brumbies hooker Jeremy Paul, former England Sevens captain Ben Gollings, Colin Charvis from Wales and former All Black Josh Kronfield.

Tonga defeated the World XV team 60-24.