Fiji has strong credentials to host the Pacific Games - Pacific Games Council

The Pacific Games Council says Fiji has strong credentials to host the Pacific Games following the Tongan government’s withdrawal from hosting it in 2019.

Chief Executive Officer Andrew Minogue says there has been a lot of reports about some governments showing interest in hosting the 2019 Pacific Games but everything will still need to be assessed.                                                               

He told Fijivillage that the Executive Council will meet this Saturday to go through a whole range of options on what steps they can take and one of those will be whether the Tongan government will be willing to reassess the position it has taken.

Minogue has declined to comment on whether the Pacific Games Council has already received notification from certain countries about hosting the games but says they have been pleased with the support shown by Fiji.

Samoa has expressed its intention to bid for the 2019 Pacific Games after Tonga withdrew following financial concerns.

Prime Minister Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi told Radio Tonga that Fiji would also like to make a bid.

Tonga’s Games Organising Committee also agreed at an emergency meeting last Friday that they want the Games to remain in Tonga.

They intend to seek a meeting with Prime Minister Akilisi Pohiva and the Government to discuss this issue and hopefully come to a new decision.