On the occasion of the 1st Football Convention in Tonga, Tonga Football hosted with the theme, “Build vibrant and healthy communities”.
This two-day event was held at the Fa’onelua Convention Center, in Nuku’alofa on 29 and 30 July 2020, and was open to to all Government Ministries, Non-Government Organisations, Bussiness communities and any interested parties.
At the official opening of this Football Convention, Lord Ve’ehala, President of Tonga Football warmly welcomed the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Lord Fakafanua, Minister of Finance, Hon. Tevita Lavemaau, Minister of Education and Training, Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni, The Australian High Commissioner to Tonga, HE Mr Adrian Morrison, The New Zealan High Commissioner to Tonga. HE Tiffany Babington, and all the guests. HRH Princess Angelika Latufuipeka Halaevalu Mata’aho Tuku’aho, the Royal Patron of the Tonga Football Association made an official remarks.
HRH says, ” The purpose of this First Football Convention for the next two days is to inform, to teach, to, dialogue, to discuss, to share in supportive ways and work together with you all important members of our society. It is our wish that we would work closely well in identifying ways to collaborate with/ partnership for better ways/ collaboration with best ways and trustworthy ways as well as cooperation in partnership for football programs.”
“Your support is very vital to us as we can join hand in working towards a collaborative team work as we value / give importance to a vibrant and healthy society as well as empowering/ identifying role models/ Inspirational young people for the Youth of Tonga. We can do this through planning; preparing ‘the strands to weave’ a vibrant and healthy boys/men and girls/ women; citizens of Tonga.”
“May I please be allowed to use clear and easy words / I now wish to seek your understanding to allow me to use clear and easy words.’
“King Taufa’ahau Tupou I was being blessed by our Lord God ultimately with great attributes and great talents in different areas not only physically(demeanor), with great mind, leadership but also spiritually to which we are grateful for in our Friendly Isles nowadays.”
“It is said that King Taufa’ahau Tupou 1 was of a height above the norm. He was a gentleman with great reflexes, fast, quick- minded, alert, great energy and dynamic, great strength, health and strong body and a good dancer/ vary agile talented performer and dancerIt is said that King Taufa’ahau Tupou 1 was of a height above the norm. He was a gentleman with great reflexes, fast, quick- minded, alert, great energy and dynamic, great strength, health and strong body and a good dancer/ vary agile talented performer and dancer.”
“No one could match him in the field of sports, in the war fields even as a sea farer on top of that he was a leader with great intellect that was sharp and was truly visionary king who also cared or was well aware of development in his time.”
“It is important to remember that in order to develop and plan for a vibrant and healthy / good healthy boys and girls in the future, it cannot be done by one person but by the support of a group of people. Let us build/ weave/ I urge you to let us weave in the next two days a better future for the young generation of today. Let us demonstrate/ show forth a society where the good impact stays there from generations to generations.”
“Football is the second sports played by our people here in Tonga. In the football of football field and the experience that comes with this game, it can transform/ change the came with experience Playing football over the years and experience can transformative change to a young girl/woman or boy/man to become an obedient and good-natured person. Such is the endeavor/ vision of Football in bringing up the good in a person.”
“We can’t win unless we first and foremost try to be like Tupou 1. . A Man of great wisdom and insights and excel in any fields. He was skillful and clever. Whatever he did or set out to plan would always be a great success in all areas not only for himself but for the nation. He was known as the one who can outdo anyone in all endeavours be it sports, performance, war or faith; any area of challenges/ He challenged any fields. He may challenge any one in any fields. His skills and experiences in any sports fields in those days became very useful to him in all his other endeavours as a leader to unify Tonga as King of Modern Tonga.”
“I wish to acknowledge and thank Tonga Football Association for organizing this convention and its program. I extend my gratitude and appreciation to FIFA for the financial support for this program. Also, thank you so much for you all for making time to join us in this endeavour to build/ develop our country for the benefit of
HRH offered her best wishes.
“I wish you all the best for the convention and pray that the holy spirit be with you for a successful outcome / to achieve the purpose that we are planning to be achieved in order to build and plan for better citizens in the future.”
“May we all be joyful and happy as we are ‘being enlightened’ from above for healthy eyes, body and spirit as it’s the very reason for our being enlightened. ‘Ofa atu“
Before the end of the official opening, Mr Paula Pouvalu Ma’u, Tonga Football Senior Vice President delivered the thank you remarks, than Rev. Falematapule Lomu said the closing prayer.
End!
