Page 32 - IB MAR 2017

Sports
Tonga’s bid to host 2019 Pacific Games reaches political climax

Mixing sports

and politics

The tattered track at Teufaiva Stadium reflects the troubles facing Tonga’s Pacific Games bid. Photo: Joe Yaya

late January, chairman of the Organizing aid and remittances from the 160,000 or
Committee Fred Sevele and president of the so Tongans living abroad, 35 percent more
National Olympic Committee Tevita Tupou than those living at home.
called on the Parliament to step in and help His leadership was tested last month
out “before it is too late”. in a parliamentary no-confidence motion,
The letter strongly stated Tonga is in which he survived. His relentless practice
real danger of not being ready to host the of corruption, nepotism, poor performance
2019 Games and they could lose the rights and dictatorial leadership stirred members
By Joe Yaya
to host the event if things don’t change. of his party to cross the floor.
SPORT has an uncanny ability to bring The duo is pleading Parliament to im- Upgrading the National Stadium was
people together and build comradery last- mediately appoint a Games Minister and supposed to start in January 2016 after
ing a lifetime, more so nowadays when remove Pohiva from any involvement in the organizing committee appointed a
those special moments can be captured on the organizing of the Games. New Zealand company, Creative Spaces, to
film. When Nelson Mandela walked out in “One of the most frustrating obstacles manage the project for around 25 million
the Springbok jersey in the 1995 Rugby to the preparations of the Games is the Tongan pa’anga (US$11.5 million).
World Cup final, we saw the power sport continual attempts by the Prime Minister “Everything was ready and all that was
can bring in uplifting a nation. to interfere with the Organization of Sport required was the formal go ahead from
The Pacific is sports-crazed and the that is within the jurisdictions of the Orga- government,” Sevele said.
ultimate quadrennial event is the Pacific nizing Committee, TASANOC and the Pa- But in December 2015, Pohiva vetoed
Games. Host countries get an extra boost cific Games Council which the government the appointment of Creative Spaces and
to their economies, while the facilities built of Tonga has committed by agreements to dismissed Sevele and all the staff of the
allows them to host other international support,” the signed letter said. organizing committees. Sevele took the
events and provide local athletes a place Tonga had won the bid to host the matter to court and won back his post as
to train. Games in 2012 under a previous govern- chair of the organizing committee.
Tonga is the venue for the July 2019 ment. But since Akilisi Pohiva became the Sevele previously was Tonga’s Prime
Games. But with a two-and-a-half year first Prime Minister elected by Parliament Minister from 2006 to 2010 and later said
window that’s closing quickly, none of the rather than appointed by the King in 2014, he has no problems working with Pohiva,
facilities have been built including upgrad- he has downplayed the country’s ability to instead putting the national interest ahead
ing the National Stadium at Teufaiva Park. host the Games accusing the organizing of personal indifference.
Constant interference from Tonga’s committees and sporting bodies incapable. “We need to realise there is a separate
Prime Minister Akilisi Pohiva is making Pohiva seems to lack foresight in what line of responsibilities and obligations
preparations difficult for the organizers. the Games will bring to a developing coun- and government cannot interfere with the
In a letter to the Speaker of Parliament try like Tonga that heavily relies on foreign conduct and running of the Games.”

32 Islands Business, March 2017