'Epeli Taione, the new Chairman of the Tonga Rugby Union [1]
Monday, May 28, 2012 - 23:02. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
Center, 'Epeli Taione, the Chairman of the Board and on his left, the Deputy Chairman, Soape Tuiono; far left Uatesoni Halatoafa, and on the far right, Sione Kaitu'u, the Interim CEO of the board. Standing from the left, 'Isileli Fakatulolo, Tuifio Finau, 'Otenili Pifileti, Latiume Kaufusi and Manu Vunipola
'Epeli won the chairmansip seat after a fierce contest with the Prime Minister, Lord Tu'ivakano, the only other candidate for chairmanship, during the Annual General Meeting of the Tonga Rugby Union TRU at the Basilica, Nuku'alofa on Saturday, May 26.
The Chairman and the directors of the board met for the first time this afternoon, May 28 at the Dateline Hotel. During this inaugural meeting the board elected one of the directors, Kaitu'u Fotu as the Interim Chief Executive Officer of the TRU.
The next board meeting is scheduled to be held, in two weeks time.
A new constitution for the establishment of the Tonga Rugby Union was unanimously adopted during a special meeting of the TRFU on April, 28.
The new Tonga Rugby Union Board of Directors are:
'Epeli Taione, Chairman
Soape Tu'iono, Vice Chairman
Uatesoni Halatoafa, Tongatapu representative
'Isileli Fakatulolo, Vava'u representative
Latiume Kaufusi, Ha'apai representative
Tuifio Finau, 'Eua representative
Manu Vunipola, Kolomotu'a representative
Kaitu'u Fotu, Kolofo'ou representative
Vuna Fa'otusia, Central/Vaheloto representative
Tevita Lavemai, Eastern/Vahe Hahake representative
Soakai Motu'apuaka, Western/Vahe Hihifo representative
'Otenili Pifeleti, former 'Ikale Tahi representative.