The Tongan government has confirmed it has received funding from the New Zealand government to upgrade Teufaiva Stadium and it has made contacts with other foriegn donors to seek funding options in a bid to host the 2019 Pacific Games.
Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pōhiva in a statement released to media today Monday 4 confirmed his government’s position in hosting the Games and said Tonga was encouraged and given supports during the 15th Pacific Games in Port Moresby early this month by other Pacific countries in its plan to host the Games.
Tonga will soon start collecting money to help fund its budget for the sport when the airport departure tax would be increased by TP$100 and a one seniti charge on every foriegn currency exhanges, a one seniti reduction from the original two seniti charge announced in the begining of July.
Hon. Pohiva has urged all Tongans in Tonga and overseas to support government in its endeavour to bring the Pacific Games to the kingdom for the first time in history.
He said Tonga would benefit greatly from the Games.
The Prime Minister’s statement
“Getting the financial resources to fund the preparation for the Games is the utmost challenge for the Government and the Government is fully aware of this. As such, the Government is doing its best to seek financial assistance from donor and development partners and raise revenue for the Games,” the Hon Prime Minister has stated.
“ At the same time, the Government is convinced of the benefits of hosting the games, not only in upgrading the level of sports and sporting facilities in Tonga, but also the benefits to the economy that the sport will bring.”
The Government has received funds from the New Zealand Government towards Teufaiva Stadium and discussions are underway with other donor and development partners to fund other sporting complexes, which are anticipated to be finalized and announced in the near future.
The Government is also currently finalizing the legal process for the implementation of the $100 pa’anga increase in Departure Tax and the 1seniti levy that will be imposed as part of the spread of the Pa’anga value on every purchase and sale of foreign currency, which is a reduction by 1 seniti from the two seniti originally proposed in response to raised concerns during the consultation with key stakeholders. These are the two revenue streams that Government has approved to raise funds for the Games.
The Government is working closely with the Tonga Pacific Games 2019 Organising Committee on the details of the plan for the Games with the constructions and preparation of venues and sporting facilities to start in 2016, as stated by the Hon Minister for Finance and National Planning.
The Government was encouraged to receive the support of other Pacific Island Countries that Tonga can host a successful Pacific Games in 2019, during the 15th Pacific Games 2015 held in Papua New Guinea in July.
The Government is therefore calling on the people of Tonga, here in Tonga and abroad for their support, as Tonga prepares to stage the 16th South Pacific Games 2019.
