Team Tonga at the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan ^Featured

Other members of the team were from Swimming with Tevita ‘Ohuafi, Vila Day, Charissa Panuve, Noelani Day, Andrew Lapuka and Finau ‘Ohuafi, and Taekwondo was Master Baik, ‘Uluaki Sitapa, Luke Uhi, Sione Tufi, Mele Paseka and Konifalanisesi Sisifa. Othe members of the delegation to arrive this week would be Michael Bloomfield and Sateki Langi for weightlifting.

The team had completed their Delegation Registration Meeting (DRM) and are settled into Apartment Block 10 of the Athletes Games Village.

In every games there is a Team Welcoming Ceremony for each participating countries and Tonga was joined by Indonesia, Timoleste and South Korea last Saturday morning at around 9am (local time).

The teams were welcomed by Mr Baymurat Baymuradov, Chief of Protocol and Head of NOC Relation Services for the Games. During the welcoming ceremony Team Tonga Chef de Mission presented a gift of Tongan art and crafts on behalf of the Team as well as the Tonga National Olympic Committee.

Tonga joined 15 other members from Oceania who were invited by the President of OCA (Olympic Council of Asia), Sheik Al Fahad Al Sabah through ONOC President, Dr Robin Mitchell to participate at the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games. It is the first time for another IOC member region (Asia) to invite another region, Oceania for their events or Games.

Tonga will take part in Swimming, Taekwondo and Weightlifting and according to Chef de Mission, our first athlete will compete on Monday (18).

We will continue to update and bring you story of each event and our athletes. ‘Amanaki’s mobile phone No. is +993 61 085469.

-TASANOC