Tonga makes a final bid to host the Pacific Games in 2019 with its presentation next week to the General Assembly of the Pacific Games Council in Wallis & Futuna, for the event that will require $USD70 million to stage here.

During the October 18-19 meeting Tahiti will compete with Tonga for the opportunity to host the 2019 Pacific Games.

Tahiti hosted the Pacific Games in 1971 and in 1995, but now with their slogan 'The Pacific Spirit', they believe that they have something to offer 24 years later.

Tonga has never hosted a Pacific Games, and last hosted the Mini Games in 1989.

The Secretary General of the Tonga Sports Association and National Olympic Committee, Takitoa Taumoepeau was optimistic that under the leadership of Lord Tupou, Tonga's Prime Minister and the President of TASANOC, they would be successful in their bid with Tonga's slogan  "Our People, Our Games".

Lord Tu'ivakano in a message to the Pacific Games Council pointed out the significance of the year 2019 for Tonga, which is the 150^th Anniversary of the promulgation of the draft of the Tongan Constitution in 1889. "The Tongan people could ask for no greater gift than the opportunity to stage the 2019 Pacific Games in our Island Kingdom," he said.

Tonga's bidding team for the 2019 Pacific Games will be led by Prince Ata and will include Lord Vaea, Hon. Fe'ao Vakata, Lord Tevita Tupou, Lopeti Senituli, 'Ahongalu Fusimalohi, Michel Bloomfield, Takitoa Taumoepeau, Leonaitasi Kuluni and Faivamalie, a matapule.

To host the 2019 games It is estimated that Tonga will need a budget of $USD70 million, which includes $USD50 million for capital development costs to renovate Tonga's dilapidated sports facilites.

The Tongan government is expected to meet the $USD20 million operating costs, while aid donor support will be needed to construct sporting facilities, along with income from franchises through partnerships and sponsorship.