Tonga Govt says decision on Pacific Games 'final'

The Pacific Games Council President, Vidhya Lakhan, and its chief executive, Andrew Minogue, were told during a meeting in Nuku'alofa that Tonga will definitely not host the 2019 Games.

The duo met with the prime minister, 'Akilisi Pohiva, and two of his ministers on Monday only to be told the controversial decision announced last month was final.

Mr Pohiva told them his government wanted to focus its resources on more important areas of economic development and that sport was not an urgent priority for them.

This comes despite indications that Tonga was able to meet the costs while the Council had indicated it was ready and able to help out.

RNZI reports the Games Council raised concerns about not being consulted beforehand and the government's unwillingness to negotiate a solution.

They also reminded Mr Pohiva that his government was party to a legally binding contract and that in unilaterally withdrawing from hosting the Games, the Council would consider legal action to seek damages.

The Games executive had already indicated it would select an alternative host nation quickly if the matters with the Tongan government were not fully resolved by 30th June.

     
Source: Radio New Zealand