Flag Bearer Pita Taufatofua begs government to reconsider its decision ^Featured

In a letter to Hon. Prime Minister 'Akilsi Pohiva and members of Parliament Tufatofua emphasizes the importance of the Pacific Games in all aspects to Tonga and the future of it's youth.

June 2017

Pita Taufatofua 
Athlete with
Tonga Taekwondo
Royal Tonga ski team

Dear Hon ʻAkilisi Pōhiva and members of Parliament

I write this letter to humbly ask that you reconsider your decision with regards to Tonga hosting the South Pacific games. I seek that we all work together as passionate Tongans to find a solution that allows us to do this in a cost
effective and sustainable way that minimizes debt but provides a catalyst for positive change.

The SPG is the most important sporting event in the Pacific and it is where I had my first international competition. The atmosphere and feeling of being part of the national Tongan team filled me with pride and it was this that
helped carry me through into the Olympic Games. It was this that helped shape my decision to represent Tonga and not Australia in the Olympics. The positive effect sport has is very often undervalued and too often we look
just at the monetary figures. We look at cost and not hope, we look at numbers and neglect the thoughts and dreams of our youth. I campaign on behalf of these unquantifiable values that I believe actually have the greatest of value.

The SPG has the potential to greatly boost national pride and help fix social and health related issues. The large inter school rivalry and fighting can be fixed by sport and by us all uniting for a common purpose to together put
Tonga on the map. To be leaders not followers. Instead of schools fighting each other we now have a new avenue to redirect the energy of the youth so that that sense of competition and school pride can be refocused into a safe
sporting environment and into an international arena. The SPG gives Tongan youth the catalyst to be on every podium around the world in not only the sporting but also the academic and arts arena, the lessons learnt and
inspiration gained from sport is a transferable quality.

The SPG provides an avenue to highlight and redirect negative health practices within our people. Heart disease, diabetes and obesity are destroying Tongan lives. A focus on healthy sports based living and eating can
cure these problems. The SPG I believe provides this catalyst for change and investment in sport and health based infrastructure.

Historically Tongans have always been well respected around the Pacific and the world. We are known for sailing vast distances in search of conquering new lands. When we said we will sail to Fiji to help the Tui Fiji, we did. When
we said we will support our allies, we did. I believe our very essence as Tongans is now on show to the World, and I sincerely believe that history will remember us and yourselves Honorable Prime Minister as the leaders who
despite challenging odds found a way to show to the world that as Tongans we will honor our promise of hosting the games and we will find a way.

I spoke to a security guard here in Tonga who was very upset as he wanted to buy tickets to take his kids to see the games and cheer for Tongan athletes. He mentioned that on his security guard wage it would be impossible to do
this overseas. He said that it may be another 40 years before Tonga has this chance again. He wanted to bond with his kids over something that was ingrained within all Tongans, sport and competition. He wanted to share
special moments with his kids, he wanted to laugh and cheer and support and in doing so teach his kids the power of Dreams.

The challenges are real and we may not be able to have the World's best facilities but that is ok, our Pacific neighbors will understand. What we do have to offer is the friendliness and heart of the Tongan people and I believe that is
what we should be focused upon, we are the Friendly Islands let's come together and sell that as the major SPG selling point. If the ancient Greeks can do it with sticks and stones to create the Olympics then we too can do it. Let's
not focus on what we don't have but on what we do have. Let's put our differences aside and work together, we all share the same heart.

In conclusion I ask that we honour our forefathers and teach our kids that together we can overcome the challenges that divide us and create a South Pacific Games so full of spirit, love and healthy competition that for
generations to come they remember Tonga as the country that came together despite the odds to once again sail into the world in unity as one Tonga.

Sincerely

Pita Taufatofua

The Tongan Flag Bearer