Tonga PM doubts the readiness of Tonga to host 2019 Pacific Games Featured
Hon. 'Akilisi Pohiva Prime Minister of Tonga
12 October, 2016. Tonga's Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva has told parliament he has doubts that the country will be ready in time to host the 2019 Pacific Games.
Mr Pohiva said the government had still not found of land to build an 18-hole golf course for the games.
The Prime Minister told the House during parliamentary debate early this week that it would take four years to get a new golf course ready.
Mr Pohiva also cast doubt on the scheduled upgrade of the Teufaiva Stadium and the construction of new sporting facilities at Tonga High School, saying he believed it wound not happen by May 2017 as planned.
He said the US$460,000 per year the Organising Committee had requested from government was also too steep and something the government could not honour.
Mr Pohiva told the House that Tonga's sports is in a sad situation.
Last month Mr Pohiva fired the sports minister for throwing a wine glass at a female director.
He has also constantly been at odds with the Organising Committee CEO Lord Sevele, who he has unsuccessfully tried to replace.
