Tonga unlikely to attend Olympic Games

NUKU‘ALOFA – Tonga’s participation in the Rio De Janeiro Olympic Games in August this year is in doubt.

Attendance will depend on whether the Tonga Amateur Sports Association (TASA) can comply with demands by the International Olympic Committee IOC before February 15, Minister for Internal Affairs and Sports Fe’ao Vakata, told the Tongan parliament this week.

The minister said that one of the IOC requirements is for TASA to amend its constitution.

The IOC was also still waiting for TASA to respond to offers of scholarship allocations for Tongan athletes.

TASA needs to meet the IOC demands within ten days.

The issue was raised in the house during the week because of the visit to Tonga by a Papua New Guinea Delegation to assess Tonga’s needs to be able to host the 2019 Pacific Games.

TASA’s issues came up in parliament again after Lord Nuku queried TASA’s status after Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva told the house the day before the organisation was bankrupt.

Pohiva again told the house that TASA is bankrupt,saying “they can’t even pay their electricity and water bills”.

- Matangi Tonga