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PGC reinstates Tonga Games committee chair
The Pacific Games Council did not recognize the actions taken recently to remove the CEO/Chairman of the Tonga 2019 Pacific Games Organizing Committee (TASANOC).
The Council made the statement in response to Tongan government’s media release last month, requesting the vacating of the position of the CEO/chairman of the Tonga 2019 Pacific Games Organizing Committee (TPGOC). Lord Sevele is TPGOC CEO/chair.
The Council reiterates that in accordance with the PGC Constitution( Protocol 2), the 2019 Games Host Contract (Clause 1.6), signed by the Tongan Government on 19th October, 2012 (when TASANOC won the right to host the 2019 Pacific Games) and Tonga’s own Pacific Games Organization Act 2013 (Section 9 ) (which was approved by the Tongan Parliament), the powers of hiring and removing members of the TPGOC resides with the TPGOC, the PGC member association in Tonga, which is TASANOC and the PGC itself. Such powers are not the remit of the Audit & Governance Authority or any other party.
Article 4 of the Pacific Games Council Constitution states that the “responsibility for the direction and control of the Pacific Games is vested in the Council. The Council is the supreme and decisive authority in all matters concerning the Pacific Games. Any person or organization belonging or having any relationship with, in any capacity whatsoever to the Council shall be bound by the provision of the Council Charter, and shall abide by the decisions of the Council”.
In relation to this matter, Article 4 has been invoked and the move to vacate the TPGOC CEO/Chairman’s position is thus null and void.
TASANOC was scheduled to hold an election on June 16 and will work closely with the incoming Executive Committee of TASANOC to ensure all stakeholders fully understand their individual roles and responsibilities and more importantly deliver on their commitments in a timely manner to ensure a successful 2019 Tonga Pacific Games, according to Council president Vidhya Lakhan. (PR)
