Tonga

RNZ reports PNG agreed to help after a party led by Tongan Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva visited Port Moresby in January.

PNG Sports Minister Justin Tkatchenko then led a delegation to Nuku'alofa in February to assess the local facilities.

But CEO of the Games Organising Committee, Lord Sevele, said eight months on work is yet to begin and uncertainty remains.

"From what we have been told by Government officials they have not confirmed the funding, the amount, nor the timing of it," he said.

Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva told parliament on Tuesday that he has doubts that Tonga will be ready in time to host the event.

He said the government had still not found land to build an 18-hole golf course for the Games and the scheduled upgrade of the Teufaiva Stadium was also in doubt.

But the President of the Pacific Games Council, Vidhya Lakhan, said they remain supportive of Tonga as host nation.

"As far as the Pacific Games Council is concerned, the 2019 Pacific Games will continue to be hosted by Tonga," he said.

'Akilisi Pohiva has told parliament he has doubts that the country will be ready in time to host the Games.

He said the government had still not found land to build an 18-hole golf course for the Games and the scheduled upgrade of the Teufaiva Stadium was also in doubt.

But the CEO of the Games Organising Committee, Lord Sevele, said a new golf course is not necessary.

BIMA, a world-leading mobile micro-insurance provider, and the Pacific Financial Inclusion Programme (PFIP) have launched their second major joint initiative that will provide microinsurance products to underserved communities across five Pacific Island Countries.

PFIP has provided a grant to BIMA to bring simple, affordable microinsurance products to low-income, rural and underserved communities in Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga, Samoa and Nauru.

Having lost their opening two matches of the tournament, Samoa won three straight to join Fiji and the Cook Islands as the top three teams in the Pacific.

He was born and raised in South Auckland and said one of his biggest achievements was winning a bronze medal for Tonga in the super heavyweight division at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

He's best known for being the man who stopped Parker from going to the 2012 London Olympics and of their four amateur encounters, the pair have won two each.

But instead of following the same path as Parker, Fa decided to get a job and start a family.

  They include researchers and farmers from Solomon Islands, the Cook Islands, Fiji and Tonga.

The conference will hold consultations on how to develop breadfruit farming around the region.

Sinai Tuitahi is the CEO of the Growers Federation of Tonga and said it is a great opportunity for farmers to share their knowledge and practices.

Fa and Parker have history, splitting their four amateur fights two each, and momentum is slowly building behind the prospect of the pair eventually squaring off in the pro ranks.

Born and raised in South Auckland, Fa attended two Commonwealth Games with Tonga before taking three years out of the sport to have a family.

ABC reports journalist Nico Hines wrote an article about using the gay dating app Grinder at the Rio Games, referencing the country and sport of many of those looking for sex using the app.

Tongan swimmer Amini Fonua, who is open about being gay, said The Daily Beast website ought to be ashamed of itself for potentially outing athletes from places like Tonga where homosexuality is illegal.

Kaniva News reports his condition was unknown but photos uploaded to Facebook showed he was limping out of the field with the help of a supporter. He was also seen being pushed on a wheelchair.

His supporters, however, took to Facebook to congratulate and told Filimone he has won a gold medal for Tonga after he became second in the preliminary 100m in 10.76 seconds.

Meanwhile it has been reported that there were two Tongan referees at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Lata Kaumatule, 31, and Tevita Makasini, 39, were both assistant referees in Olympic Soccer competition.