At the forefront from left, the Pacific Games Council Executive Director, Andrew Minogue; the Pacific Games Council President, Vidhya Lakhan and Lord Tevita Tupou. Standing, from left, Sione Taumoepeau, Ngalu Fusimalohi and the Secretary General of  TASANOC Takitoa Taumoepeau.

Tonga is one of two countries bidding to host the 2019 Pacific Games for the first time, and it expressed its full commitment to Pacific Games Council President and Executive Director that it could ensure a successful game if they are preferred over Tahiti, in October.

The Pacific Games Council General Meeting in Wallis and Futuna will announce the outcome of the bids and name the host country on October 18.

Tonga initially lodged its bid on May 18 to the Secretariat of the Pacific Games Council with a projected expenditure of USD$70 million. 

It proposed that government would cover the game's operating costs of USD$20 million, while it anticipated that the capital costs of USD$50 million would be collected from aid donors and franchises through partnerships and sponsorship.

The Pacific Games Council President Vidhya Lakhan said in a press conference this morning that after meeting Tonga's Prime Minister Lord Tu'ivakano, and the Minister for Sports, Minister for Education with the Speaker of Parliament they were convinced that Tonga's Sports Association and National Olympic Committee TASANOC has the full backing of its government to ensure a successful bid.

The Pacific Games Council Executive Director Andrew Minogue said they had good meetings with government, parliament and the sporting community in Tonga and received nothing but enthusiasm in regards to bringing the games to Tonga.

"We are pleased with the trip to Tonga and to see that the Tongan people are united behind this effort and we wish you the best of luck," he said.

Facilities

Mr Vidhya said in regards to the standard of facilities for the games they had a strong message to host countries not to go over the top to plan and construct expensive and massive venues that would be difficult to maintain.

What we are looking and asking for are basic, satisfactory, adequate facilities and housing that can be managed within your existing budget and provide a positive legacy for Tongans to use those facilities after the games, but it must meet the requirement of the International Federation, he said.

After the written bid was lodged, they came here to assess for themselves the capability of the country to host the largest event that takes place in the South Pacific region every two years, which 4000 athletes, officials and people would attend.

"We also looked at areas proposed for construction and we wwill go to Tahiti next week to do same. After that we will provide a factual report to the Pacific Games Council General Assembly who will meet in Wallis and Futuna in October on what is available in these two countries in order to vote," he said.

Andrew said they were pleased with Tonga proposing a 26 sports program. Tonga has the capacity to host the games as it has the land, people and will power.

The two officials were in Tonga from June 19-22.