Organisers say last night’s fundraising dinner for the Mate Ma’a Tonga team was a brilliant success but apologised for any inconvenience.
The dinner was arranged as part of the New Zealand Tongan Rugby League Committee’s endeavour to fund the hosting of the Mate Ma’a Tonga team.
A squad of 24 heroes are currently here in Auckland on a three days stopover en route to England for the Rugby League World Cup 2013.
The results of two fundraising events by the committee are yet to be announced but they said the remaining funds after paying all expenses will go to the players.
The committee's Chairperson Sione Kivalu told Kaniva News, “It was a great event. We couldn’t have asked for a better night.
We had a great turnout, the dinner was fun for everyone, thanks a million to the sponsors and those who offered to contribute by providing items for the entertainment.”
The president of the Tonga Rugby League Association, Semisi Sika reminded Captain Brent Kite and the team they have “a big support” referring to thousands of supporters who have turned out since the world cup sessions started.
As it is always vital to encourage and raise the morale of a competing team, Sika touched on the financial support given by New Zealand Tongans to the kingdom.
“Tonga’s economy is supported by a large flow of remittances from Tongans living overseas.
That is how Tongan people love our poor nation”, Sika who spoke in Tongan said referring to an estimated $200 million remittances being sent to Tonga every year.
He told the team, “we have nothing to give these Tongans in exchange for their great love for our nation.
He then emotionally delivered his message of encouragement. He told the Mate Ma‘a Tonga players – “an excellent performance in the Rugby League World Cup in England will surely pay our Tongan supporters overseas a compliment”.
He reemphasised his words to an appreciative audience of more than 500 diners in the Otahuhu Rugby League Club last night.
The Tongan way of fakaanga or judging how well other people do celebration and organised activities was the toughest moment the organisers had to face up to.
Chairperson Kivalu told Kaniva News he was sorry for any shortfalls in the program that some guests may have experienced.
His apology came as some guests expressed their concerns to Kaniva News at the number of guests attending, as it appeared to be higher than the number of tickets sold.
Ane Kivalu, a member of NZTRL said the committee did not expect people would just turn up to the door and earnestly beg to show their support for the team.
“We have repeatedly announced that to get an entry to the dinner they have to prepurchase their tickets. When the tickets were sold out we also let them know”, Mrs Kivalu added.
“It is difficult, however to deny them entry at the door when you see them face to face pleading to come in”, Mrs Kivalu said adding that "we were there to show our support".
Mrs Kivalu also apologised for any inconvenience.
The committee said they also received a lot of support saying many people were thankful about the outcome of the event.
The Mate Ma’a Tonga team will leave for England this afternoon. They will play their opening game against Scotland at the Derwent Park, Workington, England on October 29.
