Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua has raised concerns about governance and accountability at the Tonga Rugby Union (TRU), saying he has yet to hear of the organisation holding an annual general meeting as required under its constitution.
Lord Fakafanua, who said he is the president of the TRU under its constitution, said the issue was something the Government was taking a firm position on.
He made the comments during an interview with Tonga Broadcasting Commission chief executive Viola Ulakai, which was livestreamed.
The Prime Minister said the Government provided funding to support rugby and expected the TRU to be transparent and accountable for the public money it received.
He said the union was required to demonstrate that government funding had been used properly and in accordance with good-governance policies.
The issue was important, he said, because demonstrating proper governance and accountability would enable the Government to continue providing financial support to the sport.
Lord Fakafanua said he hoped the TRU would address the situation and put matters right.
Past Financial Troubles Resurface
Lord Fakafanua’s comments come against a history of governance and financial-accountability concerns involving TRU.
In 2020, World Rugby suspended funding to TRU pending a review of governance and administrative problems, including outstanding legal matters and a lack of appropriately audited financial statements.
Funding was subsequently reinstated after World Rugby, the Tongan Government and TRU entered a tripartite agreement establishing a Joint Management Committee to oversee governance reforms, financial arrangements and high-performance programmes.
TRU’s own website says its annual report is presented at its AGM following the end of its financial year on December 31. Its governance page currently publicly lists its 2023 Annual Report and a 2020 Financial Report.
A public notice confirms TRU scheduled an AGM for May 17, 2024, under Clause 5 of its constitution. Kaniva has not yet located a corresponding public notice or report of an AGM in 2025 or 2026.
