Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva

Hon. Pohiva told Kaniva News Tonga had cancelled the Games after he saw a 2013 World Bank report that Tonga could suffer economically in the long run if it hosted the Games.

Hon. Lavemaau lampooned the Prime Minister’s decision on Facebook.

“It’s so funny cos it’s not money related n we have done our dues to source out funds for this very important events for the country n youth”, he wrote on Facebook.
 

During a heated debate in Parliament on Wednesday, Hon. Pohiva said he was confident the games facilities would be ready by 2019.

He was responding to a letter from the President of the Tonga Amateur Sports Association, Lord Tupou and Chair of Organising Committee, Lord Sevele ‘o Vailahi.

They said they feared Tonga would be stripped of its rights to host the Games if the facilities were not ready.

The Prime Minister said he was confident the sports facilities would be ready by 2019.

This was organised along with the Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva and the Prime Minister’s Office, it was claimed yesterday by Tonga’s Finance Minister.

‘Aisake Eke in a statement, also denied allegations that he had prior knowledge that the interview was contracted to be paid for.

‘Aisake stated that he found out that the government would have to pay up, when he was himself contacted for an interview by the two people who had already interviewed the Prime Minister in Tonga.