"Teamwork" key for Tonga Sports Association and National Olympic Committee to resolve problems

Tonga Sports Association and National Olympic Committee secretary general Takitoa Taumoepeau believes greater teamwork is required to solve organisational problems ©TASANOC

Tonga Sports Association and National Olympic Committee (TASANOC) secretary general Takitoa Taumoepeau has called for great teamwork within the body to resolve a number of problems which have intensified in recent weeks.

Interim chief executive ‘Ahongalu Fusimālohi resigned last month following criticism during the Pacific Games in Port Moresby, which involved the Government being forced to intervene when 59 athletes were not booked on flights to the Games.

An audit into spending during the Games is being conducted, with senior vice-president Lennie Nitt having also resigned in April following longstanding financial problems.

Given this, serious doubts have been expressed about the island nation's capability to host the the next edition of the Pacific Games in 2019, with officials even speculating they “cannot afford” to host the event, awarded to the country by the Pacific Games Council (PGC) in 2012 after winning its bid against Tahiti.

Progress is currently a year behind schedule.

Hosting the 2019 Pacific Games and preparing for next year's Olympics are big challenges coming up for TASANOC ©TASANOC

“The fundamental problem was that we never seem to be working as a team, right from the beginning, because there were some members of the Executive Committee undermining it by saying we have no money," Taumoepeau told local reporters.

"It is our role and function to look for money and try to get money to ensure the team attended the Games.

"The whole thing is for us to probably for us to look inside and try and resolve and put things right."

But despite the current problems, Taumoepeau says the public should have confidence that Tonga can deliver on hosting the 2019 event, and that progress will be made over coming months.

TASANOC President and acting chief executive Robyn Tu'ivakano, meanwhile, has defended Fusimālohi but believes he was right to stand down.

"He made the right choice in resigning," she said.

"As far as the media are criticising him I don't think that was fair because he did what he did to get the athletes over but Mr Fusimalohi did do good work and get the athletes over.

"As far as his resignation, he offered to resign so there is no issue as I say."