Tonga

Using a beach soccer court to implement sessions, the village has participated in Just Play for over four years, educating the local children about healthy lifestyle choices, gender equality, inclusion, and keeping safe through active football-based activities.

Fangaleóunga village Just Play volunteer Litiani Tupou was more than happy to increase the number of sessions to six days a week after seeing such a positive response to physical exercise from children in the community.

The Pacific Islanders recent qualification for Japan 2019 saw them grouped with Argentina, England, France and the USA. Tonga were the fifth and final team to qualify but the dating task is being greeted with open arms.

Kefu noted that “I think in terms of our mindset it suits us to play the harder teams.” Tonga is not a side to back down from a challenge. Indeed in Rugby World Cup 2011 the Pacific Islanders upset finalists France in the pool stage. Last November they also defeated Italy in Padua.

That started with the GEF Constituency Meeting at the Tanoa Dateline International Hotel yesterday with country delegates and GEF Focal Points.

The Chief Executive Officer for MEIDECC, Paula Ma’u, welcomed delegates saying the Government of Tonga was grateful to be able to host the event.

“This meeting is an important one for Tonga as we have projects that are funded by the GEF, including the R2R project which comes to the end of its current programme in December this year,” Mr Ma’u said.

They will also showcase coconut oil products from a long-established Tongan community living in the Lau group of islands in Fiji.

Tupu’anga Coffee from the Kingdom of Tonga, is a family owned and operated Fair Trade and social enterprise owned by Emeline Afeaki-Mafileo and her husband Alipate Mafileo.

Tupu’anga’s organically and sustainably grown coffee is made from 100% Arabica beans grown in plantations on the islands of ‘Eua and Ha’apai.

They set a clean record winning all of their matches from day one of the championship before nailing Tonga 9-0 today.

The game was a matter for the Kiwi girls to formalize their position as they were declared winners early after they sent Samoa packing 6-0 during their fourth match.

Although they claimed their title earlier they did not give any chances for the Tongan girls to penetrate through their goal mouth.

Tonga from the start, kicked of the game with strong determination and created their first chance with a free kick.

The last two years of his sentence will be suspended.

According to Kaniva News, Justice Cato, who presided over the case, described the offending as serious.

He said he had recently had to deal with a number of cases of this kind.

Her new role as a sports administrator has inspired her to take her game and her culture to the world, and bring a world of learning home to the Pacific.

Peti Tupouniua firmly believes motherhood is one giant job training program.

"I have learned that I have to wear a lot of hats," the Tonga National Shuttle Time Badminton coordinator and mother of three says.

"The cleaner for the office, the driver for the kids, administrator, treasurer and a teacher as well."

The TBC reports the police minister, Mateni Tapueluelu, saying the suspension was because the officer was drunk and had allegedly committed a crime.

The officer is waiting to appear in court.

Mr Tapueluelu said all police officers should follow protocol and no one is above the law.

He also reaffirmed a commitment to addressing concerns about corruption among senior officers, but said evidence was required.

The meeting discussed ways the community can utilise the Vai Ko Felefonu eco-tourism project.

Discussions centred on the planned R2R meeting visit to the site on August 4, with the meeting agreeing to present a 'Tongan Experience with a Difference' to their guests on the day.

The Vai ko Felefonu eco-tourism project is the first of its kind with R2R backing and the funding coming from the UNDP/GEF.

Participants at the R2R meeting from July 31 - August 4 can expect a sneak preview of what Vaini has to offer at their eco-tourism site come August 4.

The nearly two week-long series of meetings end on Friday but the Royal Oceania Institute's Tevita Motulalo said many have had a poor public turnout.

Mr Motulalo said in theory the meetings are an important democratic exercise because they offer the community an official public forum and direct connection with their MPs.

However, he said with the advent of social media and issues like infrastructure and jobs continually on the meeting agenda, people are wondering if they are still useful.