03rd March, 2018 The Sports Division under the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) received sports equipment worth TOP 1.4 million from the Government of Japan through the Non-Project Grant Aid (NPGA) yesterday at Teufaiva Stadium.
The equipment includes products for athletic training, weight lifting and boxing which were handed over by the Japanese Ambassador H.E. Mr. Tetsuya Ishii to the Minister for MIA Hon. ‘Akosita Lavulavu.
Mr. Ishii said “I am sure that these sports equipment will contribute greatly to the Kingdom’s goals of promoting exercise and healthy living for the people, especially in trying to combat NCDs.”
“I vividly remember the nationwide excitement during the Rugby League World Cup last November, which united the people of Tonga in the field of sport. I do wish that these provisions will again help unite the country, especially during these difficult times in the aftermath of cyclone Gita.”
He hoped that the equipment will be fully utilized to prepare Tongan athletes through the inter-college sports competitions and other regional and international events.
Hon. Lavulavu stated “I would like to utilize this moment to thank the Government of Japan for your generosity and kind offer which will make an immediate difference in the lives of our athletes as well as our respective National Federations specifically Tonga Athletics Association (TAA), Tonga Weightlifting Association (TWA) and Tonga Boxing Association (TBA).”
She stated that Tonga has dreamt of having such equipment to help improve athletes’ performance in both local and international competitions.
“Our local athletes do have the talent but assisting them with this crucial supply of equipment will definitely lift their spirit, boost and increase in terms of their commitment to training and yet improve their performance as a whole.”
She said that the assistance will be a reviving process for the National Federations to “function actively and effectively.”
Present at the ceremony were the President of TBA Lord Vaea and guests.
ENDS
Issued by the: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change & Communications.