The Tonga Sports Council has taken issue with reports that the team going to the Pacific Games had been underfunded by the government.
Last week RNZ Pacific reported King Tupou VI had contributed funds to help the team because it didn't have enough money.
But the Council, which is a government agency, says the team had been properly funded until Tonga's Sports Association and National Olympic Committee, or TSANOC, included an additional seven teams, despite them having not reached the qualifying standard.
The Sport Council's chair, Ikani Taliai, told Don Wiseman this move by TSANOC went against what had previously been decided about who was entitled to go.
Team Tonga at the 2015 Pacific Games in Port Moresby. Photo: RNZI / Vinnie Wylie
