Nuku’alofa, Tonga – Lawmakers are raising urgent concerns about the high maintenance costs of Tonga High School’s sports complex, with the Minister of Education Dr Pingi Fasi, revealing that the facility’s electricity bills alone cost $9,000 per month.
The minister described the expenses for upkeep, care, and maintenance in Tonga as a “pa’anga lahi faka’ulia ‘oku fakamole ki ai” (substantial amount of money needed) and called on Tonga High School alumni to assist with the costs.
The complex, funded by Beijing, cost over US$25 million and has been officially open to the public since March.
Mr Fasi’s revelation comes amid growing criticism of Tonga’s decision to host the Pacific Games in 2031.
Critics argue that the country lacks the financial capacity to support such a large-scale event.
The Deputy Prime Minister has also expressed concerns, noting that Tonga may struggle to secure the $36 million needed to renovate and prepare sporting facilities for the Games.
The debate over the school’s power bill in Parliament yesterday highlighted a critical issue. Even after the Pacific Games conclude, Tonga will still be responsible for maintaining expensive sporting facilities that may have little long-term use.
Previous debates, when Tonga won the bid to host the 2019 Pacific Games before it was revoked in 2017, showed that many venues, such as specialised training centres or competition-level pools, are unlikely to be regularly used by local athletes, yet they will continue to incur significant upkeep costs.
With Tonga’s economy propped up by overseas remittances and aid, critics slam Pacific Games hosting plans as fiscally reckless.
However, Prime Minister Eke stated that the government supports hosting the Games, which were secured through a successful bid by the former Hu’akavameiliku administration.
No Plan in Place
Parliamentary reports expose Tonga’s lack of preparation for the 2031 Pacific Games.
The Minister of Internal Affairs, who oversees sports, admitted that the plans remain unfinished, with TASANOC still budgeting and seeking donors.
The Deputy Prime Minister raised further concerns, noting that TASANOC has not presented the Cabinet Committee with a clear analysis of the Games’ potential benefits for Tonga.
His alarm grew after revelations that TASANOC intends to redirect the local sports levy, currently earmarked for improving domestic athletic performance, toward Games preparations over the next six years, leading up to 2031.
An overwhelming 99% of Facebook comments on Kaniva News‘ Pacific Games posts urged Tonga to abandon its hosting plans.
