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Despite efforts from the Pacific Games Council (PGC) and neighbouring nations the Government of Tonga has this week confirmed that it will definitely not host the 2019 Pacific Games.

PGC President, Vidhya Lakhan, and Chief Executive, Andrew Minogue, were told during a meeting in Nuku'alofa that Tonga on Monday with Tonga’s Prime Minister Akilisi Pohiva that the controversial decision announced last month was final.

Prime Minister Pohiva told the PGC representatives that his Government wanted to focus its resources on more important areas of economic development and that sport was not an urgent priority for them.

This comes despite indications that the Tonga Government was able to meet the costs of the multi-sport event while the Council had indicated it was ready and able to help out.

The Games Council raised concerns about not being consulted beforehand and the Government's unwillingness to negotiate a solution.

They also reminded Prime Minister Pohiva that his Government was party to a legally binding contract and that in unilaterally withdrawing from hosting the Games, the Council would legal action to seek damages.

The Games executive had already indicated it would select an alternative host nation quickly if the matters with the Tongan government were not fully resolved by 30th June.

The only way Tonga may reverse its decision would be if the King of Tonga, Tupou VI were to intervene.

Image: Tonga's netball competing in the 2015 Pacific Games in Papua New Guinea. 

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23rd July 2015 - PAPUA NEW GUINEA ANNOUNCES BID FOR COMMONWEALTH GAMES AS PACIFIC GAMES END ON A HIGH

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