Team Tonga

Last week the government had to front up the travel bill for 59 remaining athletes whose federations failed to pay their air fares to Papua New Guinea to compete in this year's Pacific Games.

The Minister of Youth, Employment and Sports, Fe'ao Vakata, says the Tonga Amateur Sports Association and other federations were disorganised and it's the last time the government will front up travel money due to their lack of preparation.

Vakata says the Ministry will work on setting up a separate institute of sports for Tonga alongside criteria for selected federation members.

With no proper training facilities or town competition before the current Games, the Tongan women still manage to score points against their more experienced competitors in the competition.

This is the first time Tonga has produced a hockey team for international or Oceania Hockey competitions.

Team Tonga women's hockey captain Vasi Feke told PNG Loop her team only had three months preparation for the Games and they needed more exposure at international matches such as this.