Executives of the Oceania Olympic Committee visited Tonga to provide advice and assistance to the Tonga Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (TASANOC) as they prepare for an Extraordinary General Meeting scheduled for 04 February, 2016
The delegation included IOC Member and President of the Oceania National Olympic Committee (ONOC), Dr Robin Mitchell and ONOC Executive Director, Dennis Miller.
One of the main agenda items at this meeting next month is the tabling of the Amendments to the Constitution for approval of the General Assembly. This revision of the Constitution is to bring TASANOC up to date with the Olympic Charter and to facilitate the restructure of TASANOC for good governance, efficient management and to create a platform for significant support of the member National Federations with a specific objective to ensure high level of competition in the upcoming Regional and International Games in the next few years, but most especially the 2019 Pacific Games.
Members of the TASANOC Executive Committee who met with the IOC/ONOC delegation were President Lady Tu’ivakano, Secretary General Takitoa Taumoepeau, Senior Vice-President ‘Ahongalu Fusimalohi, Tonga Women in Sport Commission President ‘Emeline Tuita, Vice Presidents Michael Bloomfield and Dr ‘Amanaki Fakakovikaetau.
The TASANOC Executive representatives were very pleased with the outcome of the discussions and have pledged to formally address issues raised by the IOC and Government of Tonga respectively. Both IOC and ONOC have committed to ongoing dialogue and assistance to ensure TASANOC’s solvency and good standing with the completion of tasks agreed to during the visit.
The IOC/ONOC delegation also had meetings with Lord Sevele, Chairman of the Organising Committee, and his staff. They discussed ways in which the IOC/ONOC could assist Team Tonga in its preparations for future games, and possible avenues for providing assistance to the Committee in its preparations for the 2019 Games. The delegation was also pleased with the update they were given on the status of the preparations for the 2019 Pacific Games.
Dr Mitchell and Miller also met with the Deputy Prime Minister, Siaosi Sovaleni and Fe’ao Vakata, Minister responsible for Sports. The Government had expressed concerns about governance and financial difficulties at TASANOC.
The Government of Tonga had flagged that whilst TASANOC had received grants to support Team Tonga’s participation in the 2015 Papua New Guinea Pacific Games, there were loan liabilities outstanding from the 2015 Pacific Games in Papua New Guinea, and from the 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games held in Apia in September. Whilst disappointing that TASANOC and many of the sports federations had not all faced up to their funding responsibilities, TASANOC Executive has been urged to create greater financial independence for the organization. This is one of the first tasks to which TASANOC, together with the sports federations, will devote priority attention over the next few years.
According to TASANOC President, Lady Robyn Tu’ivakano and Secretary General, Takitoa Taumoepeau, the visit was very successful in providing clarity and a clear understanding on timelines for outstanding tasks to be completed and for reassuring the Government of Tonga and all stakeholders, that, provided TASANOC fulfil the commitments made to the IOC/ONOC before 15 February, TASANOC will be back on track to pursue its mandated responsibilities to sports in the Kingdom