The President of the Pacific Games Council Vidhya Lakhan says the 2019 Pacific Games will be hosted by Tonga.
Lakhan has also responded to reports in the local Tongan press attributed to the Tongan Prime Minister addressing Parliament on Tonga’s ability to fully fund the 2019 Pacific Games.
Akilisi Pohiva says the government had still not found land to build an 18-hole golf course for the Games and the scheduled upgrade of the Teufaiva Stadium was also in doubt.
However, Lakhan says at no stage the council requested the existing 9-hole golf course to be re-developed to an 18-hole facility.
He says a 9-hole course will be suitable for the Pacific Games.
Lakhan adds the Pacific Games Council will continue to work with the Tongan government to ensure that the Games venue requirements are affordable and to ensure that the budget of the Games Organising Committee remains modest.
Meanwhile the Pacific Mini Games will be held in Vanuatu in December next year.
14 sporting teams from Fiji will be participating in the Games which include Archery, Athletics, Beach Volleyball, Boxing, Soccer, Golf, Judo, Karate, Netball, Rugby 7s, Table Tennis, Weightlifting and Para Sports.
Wayne O’Connor has been appointed as Fiji’s Chef de Mission and will be assisted by Pauline Stephens.
A team size of over 150 people is expected to go from Fiji to the Mini Games.
