Pacific Games Council backs Tonga to deliver in 201 Featured
Tonga's Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva and 2019 Pacific Games Organising Committee CEO Lord Sevele
23 December, 2016. The Pacific Games Council says Tonga has all the support it needs to deliver a successful event in 2019.
The country's Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva told Parliament earlier this year he was doubtful that Tonga would be ready in time to host the Games.
He also became embroiled in a dispute with Lord Sevele, who he attempted to remove as CEO of the Tonga 2019 Organising Committee.
President of the Pacific Games Council, Vidhya Lakhan, said his organisation knows what is required to deliver a successful Pacific Games and have been doing so for over 40 years.
He said Tonga had the people and the time to ensure it puts on a memorable Games.
"We still have three years and we hope that with the arrangements that we have in place now: people at the Tonga Olympic Committee - people who initially won the bid and were ousted but they're now back in power - so they know what the Games is all about, experienced people," he said.
"With the CEO and the Chairman of the Organising Committee we have every confidence. Government's role is to provide the facilities and we're saying all you do is go to donor Governments and they will build it for you.
"I understand in Tonga they've just recently signed a contract with a donor Government to upgrade the facilities at one of their high schools, which is earmarked to be the main Games Village and venue for the 2019 Games.
"So with all those things falling into place we have every confidence that we will have a good Games in Tonga in 2019."
-RNZI
