Tonga has hosted a sporting event in which the successful competitors would be qualified for the Rio Olympic Games and the event was opened by Prince Ata in Tonga today.
Archers from around Oceania and as far away as Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji and New Caledonia were competing in Tonga in the Oceania Archery Championships, the Commonwealth Championships and the Continental Qualifying Tournament.
The Continental Qualifying Tournament allows the successful athletes to compete at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in August.
“There are two spots opened for women and two for men to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Game in Rio and we’re hoping Tonga will have a spot in it,” the Secretary of Tonga Archery Foundation, Tukia Tatafu said.
Tonga normally sent its potential athletic candidates for the international or regional sports to compete in overseas qualifiers.
“.. this is the only event and for the first time for Tonga to qualify athletes to join the Olympic,” Tatafu said.
She said: “Assistance from the TAF and the government of Tonga has managed us to further our resources and improve our facilities before inviting the participating countries to Tonga for the championships.”
Hans Jensen, the President of the World Archery Oceania, “who is based in Tonga said yesterday was the official practice day for competitors to adjust to the environment and the battle of participating countries for someone to represent Oceania to the Olympic Games in Rio”.
The Archery Sport was first introduced to Tonga in 1998.
