Tonga Volleyball team strikes gold [1]
Tuesday, April 28, 2009 - 00:00. Updated on Friday, June 13, 2014 - 18:58.
Tonga's National Volleyball Team struck gold at the World Qualifying Championship last week in Porirua, Wellington, New Zealand.
The team defeated New Zealand, Samoa and Fiji, and will go forward to the second round of the competition in Chinese Taipei next month.
Team Manager Sione Fonua said that both men and women participated at the World Qualifying Championship.
"This is the first time that the National Indoor Team has won Gold and this competition is one of the elite events of the FIVB calendar," he said.
The second round of the Qualifying Championship will be held in Chinese Taipei May 22-24, where Tonga is pooled with Chinese Taipei, Kazakstan, and Oman.
Sione said the team was preparing for the next round but there was a bit of setback. "We are trying to find sponsors for our uniforms as our uniform bag was stolen in Australia when the team was there preparing!"
Tonga National Team Gold medal winners:
1. Haati Alatini
2. Isime'eli Tu'akoi
3. Soane Vaipulu
4. Kama Manulevu
5. Toni Vaka'uta
6. S.Tu'akoi
7. Lotu Fa'aui
8. Joshua Taukei'aho
9. Kali Fifita
10. Maka Fatanitavake
11. Ikuna Kafoa
Officials:
Team Manager, Sione Fonua
Head Coach, Siupeli Tamale
Trainer, Tupou Tanginoa