Pacific Games

130 athletes from 12 countries will compete and up to 200 overseas visitors are expected in Nuku'alofa for the two-day event kicking off on Friday.

The President of the Tonga and Oceania Judo Unions, Lennie Nitt, said the hosting agreement was only signed in December and it had been a challenge for organisers to ensure 'Atele Stadium was ready for competition.

According to RNZI, the Solomons delegation includes the provincial government minister, David Tome, and the opposition leader, Jeremiah Manele.

The bid will seek votes from the 22 member countries on the Pacific Games Council.

Solomon Islands is up against French Polynesia, which lost the 2019 rights to Tonga.

It made the decision after the Beca International Consultancy said the current course could not be expanded for the Games because of the lack of surrounding land spaces.

But the government said negotiation was underway to relocate residents in the area so that the course could be expanded.

Kaniva News reports consultants Beca International said their cost estimates were accurate within a range of minus 15% to plus 40%, which means they might be slightly less, but could be nearly half as much again.

They estimate the Games could cost up to NZ$73.6 million, but a 40% variation would bring the cost to just over NZ$100 million.

And the estimate does not include a range of other requirements.

In a press conference in Tonga this week, Tkatchenko told Tonga Internal Affairs Minister,  Sosefo Fe'aomoeata Vakata that PNG will identify and assist Tonga in areas where it can.

"Three years is suitable enough time to prepare, compared to the amount of time Papua New Guinea had to prepare for the 2015 Games, and we want to be able to help start immediately," said Tkatchenko.

Tkatchenko said besides assistance with infrastructure and planning, PNG will also help Tonga athletes prepare under the High Performance Training Centre in Port Moresby.

Prime Minister of Tonga Akilishi Pohiva arrived today in Port Moresby to discuss the preparations of the games with the big brother, PNG.

 Pohiva admitted that the commitment was made  by the previous government and  it was not his dealings but he would honour it and make it happen.

In a brief media conference at the Jacksons International press room after his arrival, Pohiva said his delegation is here for bilateral talks with the PNG government on what will be the next step in terms of the games preparations.

Chief Executive Officer of GOC, Peter Stewart thanked everyone who had contributed to the success of the XVth Pacific Games.

Since the Closing Ceremony, GOC has paid off all its contractors and suppliers and prepared the financials for auditing by Deloitte. It has handed over all sports and office equipment to the National Sports Foundation and the PNG Olympic Committee as part of the legacy plan.

Fe'ao Vakata criticised TASANOC officials in July after the government had to pay the travel bill for 59 remaining Pacific Games athletes, whose federations failed to pay their air fares to Papua New Guinea.

Former TASANOC interim CEO 'Ahongalu Fusimālohi subsequently resigned, and has been replaced by Emeline Tuita.

Tonga's readiness to host the 2019 Pacific Games has also been questioned.

Fe'ao Vakata has criticised the sporting federations for being disorganised but says relations are improving.

Tonga was awarded the hosting rights in 2012 and the Pacific Games Council has reminded the country not to try and compete with the likes of Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia, who spent considerable money building brand new venues for the past two regional events.

The President and acting CEO of TASANOC, Lady Robyn Tu'ivakano agrees Tonga should only spend within their means.

Those are the words of a self-assured individual less than twenty-four hours prior to her Women’s 100m Freestyle race.

The race Colleen Furgeson was referring to was during the recent Pacific Games in Port Moresby, in which she recorded a time of 1 minute 06.19 seconds, which she deemed unsatisfactory. The Kwajalein born athlete relished another chance in the pool only a few weeks after her last attempt.

Her final race in the 16th FINA World Championships, in Kazan, gave her this opportunity.