Every official wants to be the ‘king’

TONGA – It seems that ministers of the Tonga government and their officials are all following their own logic, writes a commentator on the Matangi Tonga news site.

“Whether it’s the minister, the acting CEO or whoever is responsible for signing the letter to stop girls from playing rugby and boxing, one thing is clear, Stephen Vete writes.

“They are all ignoring the recent plea from His Majesty Tupou VI to work together.

“Working together means to talk to each other, discuss the issues and problems so that you arrive at a solution that those you have talked with are going to help to implement.

“In this case, if it was to preserve Tonga culture and tradition, isn’t there a recently revived Traditions Committee which includes some church leaders?

“Isn’t there a School Principals Association – were they consulted? I just read that the PM of New Zealand is going to direct aid to sports directly to the villages rather than giving the aid money to the present Tonga government.

“No wonder our beloved country is in such a mess –it seems that those who have been appointed to high positions all want to be ‘king’.

“Doesn’t our country have more important priorities to attend to than stopping girls and young women from playing the sports of their choice?

- Matangi Tonga