FROM OUR ARCHIVES

Tonga has been awarded the right to host the 2019 Pacific Games by the General Assembly in Wallis & Futuna this evening, 19 October.

Tahiti and Tonga made their final presentations to the delegates of the General Assembly this afternoon, who voted 16-6 in favour of Tonga.

The Tonga Amateur Sports Association and National Olympic Committee's Secretary General, Takitoa Taumoepeau, said that following the successful outcome for Tonga, the Games agreement was signed by the Minister of Internal Affairs and Sports, Lord Vaea and the President of TASANOC, Lord Tupou, who is also the President of the Pacific Games Association.

In his presentation Lord Tupou said that Tonga would be ready to host the 2019 Games "beyond the highest standard required for the enjoyment and satisfaction of the athletes." Tonga has chosen the theme and slogan for the 2019 Games: "Our People, Our Games."

Tonga's bid document and progress report indicated that meetings had been held with donor country representatives and prospective sponsors.

The country will need to find a budget of USD$70 million for the various construction of sports facilities and operational expenses for hosting the Games.

"The countries who have hosted the Pacific Games were once in the position that Tonga is in now. Hosting the Games brought them International level sports fields and facilities renewing focus on a wider offering of sports, improved the level of competition and resulted in better sport opportunities for the youth," said Lord Tupou.

Tonga was bidding to be given the same chance other host countries of the Pacific Games had received.

The Pacific Games brings together 22 Pacific Countries and Territories in a sporting competition held every four years. Tonga has proposed to hold the 12 compulsory and 16 optional sports for women and men.

Tonga's Prince Ata who led the delegation said that Tonga was proud of its long and unbroken partnership with the Pacific Games Community, which went back to the founding games of 1963.