The government had already allocated funds for the 2019 Games in the coming new 2017/2018 budget, former Minister of Finance, ‘Aisake Eke claimed this week.
Hon. Eke told a meeting of the Tonga Sports Associations and National Olympic Committee were all specifically aimed to support the preparation for the 2019 Pacific Games.
There would no need for Government to borrow money or impose extra duties or taxes.
Chairman of 2019 Organizing Committee Lord Sevele presented figures which he said contradicted the claim that the reason to withdraw from the Games was financial.
Lord Vaea, who chaired the meeting, said Tonga should honour its commitment to the Games,
He said the Games were awarded to Tonga in the belief the kingdom would do a good job.
More than 40 delegates from 17 National Federations attended the meeting.
The meeting asked Lord Vaea and Lord Sevele to talk to the government about reversing its decision.
An emergency meeting of the TASANOC organising committee resolved that they wanted the Games to be staged in 2019 and to seek a meeting with Hon. Pohiva and the government to discuss this issue.
The main points
- The government had already allocated funds for the 2019 Games in the coming new 2017/2018 budget, former Minister of Finance, ‘Aisake Eke claimed this week.
- Eke told a meeting of the Tonga Sports Associations and National Olympic Committee were all specifically aimed to support the preparation for the 2019 Pacific Games.
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