Pacific Games

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.

In a statement he says there has been confusion and doubt as to whether Tonga would go ahead with the event.

But the prime minister says while it is the utmost challenge for the government it will do its best to seek financial assistance from its donor and development partners.

Mr Pohiva says the government is convinced of the benefits of hosting the games, not only in upgrading venues but the benefits to the economy.

The two commercial banks representatives were adamant in their opposition to the levy, which parliament has passed at the end of June. However, the King in Council has sent back the Foreign Exchange Levy Bill to parliament for further revision.

The levy is understood to mean that if the bank makes five seniti from every dollar that it exchanges, government is going to take two seniti.

This was raised at a meeting in the village of Houma attended by Tongatapu Constituency 6 People’s Representative and Minister of Public Enterprise, Poasi Tei.

At the meeting, Viliami Halatoa of Houma said Tonga was not ready to host the 2019 Pacific Games.

In response, the Minister said Government supports the hosting of the Games and has set aside TOP$1 million to the Ministry of Sports to establish a sports academy in preparation for the Games in four years’ time.

Dr Ngongo Kioa says that while the levy will be paid by the banks, the cost will likely be passed on to the people.

Radio Tonga News understands the 'Foreign Exchange Levy Bill' was passed in Parliament, but was returned back from the Privy Council after a complaint from the Tonga Chamber of Commerce.

Questions have been raised over the lack of public consultation and NGOs have voiced concern over how the levy will affect people at the grassroots level.

Dr Mitchell, an IOC member himself says the recently approved Agenda 2020 has been adopted by 2020 Olympic Games hosts Japan.  

“I was recently in Tokyo for the Coordination Committee meeting and Tokyo has very quickly taken on board the recommendations of the IOC which resulted in them saving 1.3 billion dollars already in venue preparation.”

Opener Riley Hekure was the star with his knock of 115 off 64 balls.

Hekure smashed 10 fours and 6 sixes for PNG to set the target at 176.

They went down to New Caledonia 3-1 at the BSP Arena today.

New Caledonia grabbed the first set in a close encounter 25-18.

PNG played hard but were over confident losing again in the second set 25-21.

While there was opportunity for more goals for Vanuatu, Tongan goal keeper Mateaki Taufa was her side’s saving grace, keeping a vigilant watch at the goal mouth and holding Vanuatu to a 4 point win.

Both sides drew one all after the first period.

 And Bisamo ended Papua New Guinea’s dominance in the XV Pacific Games track and field events on a high note.

The final year Kabaleo Teachers College student completed the 21km race in 1:14:11 seconds.