Tonga games withdrawal 'embarrassing, but necessary' Featured
PM 'Akilisi Pohva
15 May, 2017. At a cabinet meeting on Friday the decision was made to withdraw from hosting because of a World Bank report looking at its economical impact.
'Akilisi Pohiva said cabinet decided to withdraw from the Games project because of the financial implications despite organisers saying there were enough revenue streams to fund the event.
Preparations for the games have been beset with controversy, delays, and legal action.
Mr Pohiva said the decision to withdraw was another blow for Tonga but it could not be avoided.
"It may look embarrassing but as far as Tonga is concerned, the economic and financial situation of the country at the moment, there is no other option but to cancel the sports. We are being forced by circumstance, by financial and economic circumstance of the day, to do the right thing and the right thing is to cancel."
He said the cabinet made the decision on the basis of a 2013 World Bank report about the economic impact of the event.
Mr Pohiva said the government still had to work out what would happen to finances committed towards hosting the 2019 Pacific Games.
Last year, various levies were introduced locally to help raise funds and Mr Pohiva said cabinet would decide what happens with that money and the legislation.
Mr Pohiva said he would talk with foreign donors soon.
"I will contact PNG. Remember PNG was committed to contribute but we are still waiting so we still don't have that contribution. China will continue to build the indoor stadium for Tonga High school and also the other facilities."
While Mr Pohiva said he intended to write a letter to the Pacific Games Council informing them of the decision, the council said it had not heard from the government about plans to withdraw from hosting the games.
President of the council, Vidhya Lakhan, said all they know was what they had heard through the media.
"There has been no official communication, either to the Games Council or the Pacific Games Association of Tonga, about their intentions," said Mr Lakhan.
"It is already known there is a tripartite contract and if one partner wishes to pull out, for whatever reason, I think it is common courtesy that the other partners would be consulted, advised and we could look at ways and means of keeping the Games in Tonga if there was intention to move it out.
"So we will wait until we hear and then we will do whatever we feel is necessary to ensure that the games remain in Tonga."
"But I just can't believe what I'm hearing because only about two months ago...I think it was in a question and answer session he assured the parliament and the people of Tonga that his government was totally behind the games," he said.
"And the government was supporting it and they will do whatever was necessary to ensure they have a successful games in 2019."
Mr Lakhan said until they were informed otherwise the Pacific Games Council's position is that the 2019 games will be held in Tonga.
Tongan games head says economy can cope with hosting
The head of Tonga's Pacific Games Organising Committee said the economy could handle hosting the 2019 event and he doesn't understand why the government wants to pull out.
Lord Sevele said while the prime minister met with his committee last week and brought the 2013 World Bank report, there was evidence Tonga could host the games successfully.
He cited an International Monetary Fund statement which said economic activity is expanding and likely to remain relatively strong with growth projected at a rate between 3 and 4 percent, boosted by construction and activities related to the Pacific Games.
"On the recent reports from the IMF late in March of this year, they are painting a very rosy picture of the Tongan economy," Lord Sevele said.
"The one that the prime minister brought to our meeting last week was one dated 2013. It's out of date."
Lord Sevele said the 2019 event would not pose too heavy a burden on the government.
He said the government would only need to come up with around $US13m in total.
"The funds that will be spent on hosting the games and the facilities, much of that has been promised from overseas, and also a fair amount will come from the private sector here by way of sponsorships."
Lord Sevele said the two finance ministers, ('Aisake Eke and Tevita Lavemaau), under the Pohiva government both publicly stated in parliament that they were firmly in support of the games and the economy was good and the stability of government finances was strong.
Lord Sevele said hosting the games would benefit the youth, the sports community and all of Tonga, the majority of whom are behind the games.
-RNZI
7 comments
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Tonga games withdrawal 'embarrassing, but necessary'
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FOKOLETA KISSES UP TO PM FOR A REASON...IDIOTIC MENTALITY AS AN USEFUL IDIOT FOR THE PM...are there crumbs under the PM's table for Fokoleta to munch on? Like PM 'Akilisi Pohiva...they all look to Government to enrich themselves because they are incapable of doing anything else.
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It is your responsibility Fokoleta to buy bread for your son unless the PM and his cabinet buy bread for your son....
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The Prime Miniter made the right decision to get Tonga out of this black hole of a project. Pride and lotolahi do not buy a loaf of bread for my son.
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Palani 'ehe kakai loto lahi mo 'ofa fonua kae veteki 'e he kakai kete kovi loto meheka. Ko hono mo'oni koe 'ikai ke malava ke ngaue'i 'a e fatongia pea 'oku mo'oni leva ai 'a e fakamatala 'a Dr. Eke
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SHAME, SHAME, SHAME SHAME! .... this is national shame and embarrassment of the highest order. How dare you bring shame to my country. How dare you deprive the youth and children of this country of the greatest sporting experience of their lives. How dare you lie and betray the people of this country with your deceiving tactics and your lying evil tongue. How dare you treat this great country like your kitchen.
I concur with other writers in this column that this prime minister has made our beloved country the laughing stock of the Pacific. His evil mind, unforgiving heart and selfish nature has done more damage to this land than all the cyclones that have visited Tonga put together.
I hope the people who voted him to parliament and his narrow minded supporters now realise that not only is he a lousy and unfit leader, but he is also not a wise and mature person He puts his personal hatred and vendetta towards Lord Sevele before the interests and needs of the people. He comes up with all kinds of lame excuses to justify his personal decision. I pity the Cabinet; such gutless cowards who are scared stiff by this half-witted senile idiot. When the time comes to separate the men from the boys, the cabinet ministers turn out to be little girls in ballerina skirts dancing to a madman's airbag. What a shame for Tonga. The great statesmen who built this nation must be turning and kicking in their graves when news of this national embarrassment reached the other side. But what do we expect from an idiot on revenge mode?
He doesn't even know the most basic protocol that Mr Lakhan points out. Instead of first advising the partners in the tripartite contract he runs to the media with an out of date World Bank report.!!! His lack of leadership quality, pathetic management skills, poor PR experience and mental malfunctions are further revealed.
This shame and stink will haunt Tonga for a long long time.
Our people particularly our children and young people will never have a chance to experience an international sporting event of this magnitude in their life. We had our chance and the PM blew it. Congratulations Mr PM and good work ballerina cabinet. You will go down in history as the government that brought the greatest shame to Tonga. -
Taaamani ta koe fuu lipooti kuo mafu. Ai pea tuku aa e uiuitevolo Palemia kuo haufale'ia ehe fanga tevolo hoo fakakaukau. Ke fakangalivale'i lahi e fonua pea e tolonga i ha taimi loloa. Foki aa ki api he kuo fe'unga hoo vainga he kakava e kakai.