Tongan officials say that Teufaiva National Stadium should be ready to host international events next year.
Teufaiva was badly damaged in February's Cyclone Gita, less than a year after the ground was reopened following a $US1.5 million dollar upgrade.
Tonga's prime minister 'Akilisi Pohiva (right) speaking at the reopening of Teufaiva Stadium in June 2017. Photo: RNZI/ Nayte Mataia-Davidson
Prior to that, the stadium was out of commission for international events, with no test rugby played at the ground for eight years.
The CEO of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Tonga, 'Onetoto 'Anisi, said work to upgrade the field has now been completed, thanks to assistance from the New Zealand government, and the focus has moved to widening the running track to meet IAAF standards.
"It's now increased from lane seven to lane eight, also to lay on a new carpet for the track and also mark the lanes and also upgrade a few field events like pole vaulting and long jump," he said.
"Those are athletic requirements have to [put] in place at the new tracks and the new turf."
Looking to the gates at Teufaiva Photo: RNZI / Koro Vaka'uta
The Asian Development Bank has offered to improve the access roads to the stadium and upgrade the toilet facilities.
Mr 'Anisi said the embankment will also be refreshed with new grass in time for the reopening while the
"The current schedule is targeted to complete at the end of November, the practical completion will be on the 20th of December," he said.
"So it is likely early next year we will use Teufaiva for the athletics and also the rugby games to be held there."
A sold out crowd at Teufaiva Stadium watches the 'Ikale Tahi take on the Flying Fijians. Photo: Oceania Rugby
