Results for 2019 Pacific Games

Tonga's government has not found a piece of land to build an 18-holes golf course for the 2019 Pacific Games, the Prime Minister, Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva told parliament this morning, 11 October. After today’s parliamentary session, Tonga’s hosting of the 2019 appears uncertain. From the House by Pesi Fonua.

Lord Chief Justice O. G. Paulsen on 25 August at the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court ordered the Prime Minister, Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva and the Audit and Governance Authority of the 2019 Pacific Games to refrain from removing Lord Sevele-‘o-Vailahi from his position as the Chief Executive Officer of the Tonga Pacific Games Organizing Committee, and to pay all remuneration and other benefits due to him that has been withheld since 1 July 2016.

I was a little confused after reading your article: Tonga's new foreign exchange levy starts 1 June to pay for Pacific Games. In the article it said that this "tax" was needed to help fund the 2019 Pacific Games? How was Tonga going to finance this event when they went and bid to have Tonga host these games?

The Pacific Games Council today declared that a move by Tonga to vacate the Tonga 2019 Pacific Games Organising Committee - CEO/chairman’s position, is “null and void”.

Tonga’s preparations to host the 2019 Pacific Games is in uproar after the Prime Minister's Office has called for the dismissal of Lord Sevele, the CEO and Chairman of Tonga's Pacific Games Organizing Committee, and the demand may now lead to Tonga losing the Games. The Pacific Games Council has not approved the proposal and has issued a warning to Tonga.

The Tonga Parliament this morning decided off-the-cuff to close for the day to enable members to farewell a Papua New Guinea government delegation visiting Tonga since Saturday, 29 January. From the House, by Pesi Fonua

All the preliminary works for the Teufaiva Stadium Upgrade Project have been ready for months, but the Prime Minister has not done his part in funding the necessary funding. This is what's delaying the start of the project. ...This is a National Project, not to be treated as a personal and political football. - Takitoa Taumoepeau

Teufaiva Stadium in Nuku'alofa, currently in a very poor condition, is scheduled for a $24 million pa'anga reconstruction project in preparation for Tonga's hosting of the 2019 Pacific Games.

One cannot imagine the ignorance of a government that is bankrupt bidding to host games that will cost the government $80,000,000 and produce zero benefit to the people of Tonga. It is déjà vu of the $100,000,000 that China lent us to rebuild Nuku’alofa. The money was never accounted for and spent mostly on the rich and wealthy leaders who controlled the money. - Peni Katoa.