A last ditch meeting to save Tonga's hosting of the 2019 Pacific Games is set for next Tuesday.
Two weeks ago the Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva belatedly announced that the games hosting was to be cancelled, citing economic reasons.
However both the previous and current finance ministers have backed the hosting saying funding is available.
The announcement came unexpectedly and without notice to the regional Pacific Games Council.
However it was pre-empted by construction delays, financial questions and an ongoing battle with the local organising committee which saw Mr Pohiva sack Lord Sevele as its head.
Lord Sevele was later reinstated by the Chief Justice.
Now, as Lord Sevele told Koro Vaka'uta, the Games Council has secured a meeting with the prime minister in an attempt to allay his fears.
Tonga PM 'Akilisi Pohiva (c) meeting with the Pacific Games Council Executive Board in 2015.
Photo: Supplied / Pacific Games Council
Transcript
LORD SEVELE: The latest, as you may know Koro, was that we were asked by the Council to attend a special meeting by the Pacific Games Council in Brisbane last Friday. I, as chairman of the organising committee and Lord Vaea, as acting president of the sports committee, national sports committee. We attended, we briefed them on the situation here and they deliberated, made a decision that they would like to meet with the government here and for us to seek that meeting which has now been agreed to for Tuesday next week. So the president and the executive director are coming over on Monday to have a meeting with government in an attempt to see whether and how best all sides could review the hosting of the games by Tonga in an attempt to make it happen.
KORO VAKA'UTA: So it sounds like it's not over in terms of the games hosting?
LS: As far as the Games Council is concerned it's not over and of course we are just the organising committee, tri-partite to the agreement to host the games here. The Pacific Games Council, which is the supreme authority of the games representing the 22 member countries and territories and the Tongan Olympic Committee and the government of Tonga, they are the ones who will sit down and discuss matters.
KV: Last time I heard, that meeting had been asked for and nothing had been heard back from government but now you say this meeting has been arranged so it seems there is some give and take there.
LS: Yes. Lord Vaea did have a meeting, an Audit Authority meeting, and it was agreed that the government would make the Games Council delegation at the table and we will take it from there.
KV: It seems that there is a willingness from the organising committee and the games council to help the government, to work out and iron out the wrinkles and work out any concerns.
LS: Yes, well that is the situation. That is the situation now and this is a golden opportunity for Tonga and we did ask for it. As patriotic Tongans, we can do it, but let's not inflame the situation any further by other comments. I think it is with a hope that goodwill will prevail and allow us to move forward
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