Ten members of the Tonga team for the Commonwealth Games left Tonga at 10:00am today September 27 for Auckland, where they met up with eight other athletes and officials, on their way to Delhi in India tonight.

The team from Tonga included archer Sifa Taumoepeau and officials. Otehrs in Auckland included eight members of the boxing, swimming and weightlifting teams.

Takitoa Taumoepeau, the TASA Secretary General and Tonga's Commonwealth Games and Queen Baton Relay Liaison Officer, said the Rugby 7's who are currently in Darwin would leave for Delhi on October 3 to join the rest of the team.

Takitoa sai on Friday that they were confident with reports from Tonga's Consular General in Delhi that everything was well and calm and that the Tonga team would still be competing in the Commonwealth Games.

"Tonga does not have the means to send security personnel to Delhi but the reports we received say that everything is calm and the games would definitely be held on October 3."

Takitoa said that every athlete in the team is insured by TASA as is usual for international competitions.

Tonga will be competing in five sports of archery, boxing, swimming, Rugby 7's and weightlifting.