TONGA – A woman boxer will be Tonga’s flag bearer at the XXI Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia next week.

The 13-strong Tongan team will be led into Carrara Stadium on Wednesday by Magan Maka, 24, who fought for New Zealand in Glasgow but will be representing her dad Fili’s homeland of Tonga this time around in the women’s 69kg class.

The announcement comes a week after government reportedly banned girls from boxing and playing rugby at public schools.

Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva has since issued a statement that said all Tongans should be encouraged to participate and there should be no discrimination in any sports. He said the minister’s decision was not in line with government policy.

But Tonga’s Education Minister Penisimani Fifita remains adamant that girls should not play rugby or box.

Fifita told Radio New Zealand’s Dateline Pacific he is not budging – and has blamed negative reactions to his announcement on “cultural differences of opinion”.

He has confused the issue by stating his decision is to stop all sport at all government schools in Tonga for the rest of the year because of Cyclone Gita.

“We have lost 15 school days because of the hurricane. We have a programme, a syllabus to be covered, and because of this situation I have consulted senior officers in my ministry, they agree. And also I have consulted the Parent Teachers Association of Tonga High School and Tonga College and they agreed to stop sports this year.”

He was asked to clarify the letter he issued which referenced how it was “inappropriate” for girls to be involved in rugby and boxing.

The minister responded: “Remember you are talking from New Zealand. The environment and culture is different from us here in Tonga.

“Here is what we have looked at. Only the girls at Tonga High School are not permitted to play rugby and also to engage in boxing. You know that there are some female parts – I think I don’t have to go on. That is our decision.”

He agreed there was a permanent ban at Tonga High School on girl students playing rugby or being involved in boxing.

He was asked to comment on Tongan women who have expressed concern about his seemingly one-sided decision.

He replied: “Oh yes, but see in a Tongan household I am the father – and I am the one who makes the decision and whatever I see for my girls, then I will do it. And if there is something I think is not good for my girl, I have to stop it.

“There is a ministry of education and I am the father of the ministry, then I am the father of the girls at Tonga High School. So what I look at, this is what should be done.”

He also said: “We have our culture. We have our mandate for our girls. As I have told you the physical strength of the boys is different. So if a girl playing rugby has a spinal cord injury are you going to take her to the hospital for treatment and pay for all the expenses? I am asking you?”

He was asked why it would that be any different from a boy?

“I have told you that the physical strength of a boy is different from the physical strength of a girl.”

Historically, Tongan women were noted for their boxing abilities, online Tongan news source Matangi Tonga has noted.

Captain James Cook who visited Tonga in the 18th century, was entertained with different styles of Tongan boxing and wrestling matches.

He noted that: “Not only boys engage in both these exercises; but it not infrequently happens, that little girls box with great obstinacy.”

Critics of the minister’s decisions say the ban on girls taking up rugby and boxing at school will cut off the supply of junior talent for these sports.

Auckland-born Magan Maka competes in the 69kg division of women’s boxing and represented New Zealand at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games where she lost in the quarter-finals of her division.

This time around she will be competing for Tonga. Team mate and another female boxer,Salote Huni, will compete in the 75kg division.

Maka spoke of the honour she felt fighting for Tonga, and what it meant for her dad.

Fili Maka is the Tonga boxing team’s assistant coach, and has trained his daughter since she was 11.

Holding the Tongan flag at the opening ceremony made it even more special, Maka said.

“Last week my dad got a phone call, he was a bit teary-eyed when he told me the news. I feel honoured, I’ll hold the flag with pride for my country, I can’t ask for a better opportunity. It’s amazing.
- PNC