Pacific Games

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.

And history will be made for the Vanuatu men’s team who play off for Gold for the first time in history of the Hockey Oceania Federation.

This is the first time hockey is played at the Pacific Games, the only international events the code was involved in are the Oceania games and Arafura games.

In the middle weight division (69-75ks) Baki’s performance had the crowd roaring, cheering her on.

Baki took on Tahiti’s tough boxer Edith Tavanae but her quick feet carried her home triumphantly.

The 25 year old had tears running down her cheeks as she stood on the podium basking in the presence of her fellow country men and women.