Athletes from the Kingdom of Tonga will be training at the country’s high performance training centre in Port Moresby in preparation for the 2019 Pacific Games.
The Games will be hosted in Tonga’s capital Nuku'alofa.
The Prime Minister of Tonga, Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva met the Prime Minister Peter O’Neill in a bilateral meeting between the two countries on Monday January 18, 2015.
A statement issued by Tonga prime minister’s office says: “The main purpose of the (Tonga’s) Prime Minister’s visit to PNG is to further strengthen the economic and social cooperation between the two countries in the sports arena.
“As the nation who has most recently hosted the Pacific Games, PNG has indeed set the benchmark at the highest standard – an esteemed position that the Government of Tonga aspires to meet.
“The Government of PNG has committed to assist Tonga with the reconstruction of Teufaiva Stadium for track and field events. Additionally, PNG will also assist Tonga with its High Performance Centre where elite sportsmanship will be prepared to represent Tonga in the Pacific Games and other international sporting events.
“Notwithstanding the challenges presented with the planning and preparation for an event of such magnitude, the Government of Tonga remains committed to hosting the 2019 Pacific Games.”
In the bilateral dialogue, the topics of West Papua, Climate Change, Pacific Regional Cooperation, and strengthening diplomatic ties were discussed.
“The Prime Minister of PNG has accepted the Prime Minister of Tonga’s invitation for a delegation from Papua New Guinea led by the Minister for Sports and Tourism, Justin Tkatchenko MP, to visit Tonga at the earliest opportunity to share their experiences of planning and preparing of a Pacific Games, and to continue dialogue and mutual cooperation,” the statement stated.