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Tonga building a strong base

FROM A team of seven boxers at their first Olympics in Los Angeles in 1984, Tonga is now diversifying to compete in more sports at the Barcelona Olympics.

They are taking four track and field athletes, one boxer and one weightlifter to compete in Barcelona. To the 1988 Seoul Olympics they took three track and field athletes and four boxers.

While it is doubtful that they will return from Spain with little more than the experience of international compe tition, the kingdom is going about sports the right way as it slowly builds its future sporting base.

It has developed sporting facilities in its country over the past few years. It now has a well-equipped indoor gym nasium built with four out-door tennis courts and it is also upgrading its national stadium.

Traditionally rugby and boxing were the strengths of the Tongans but now sports like tennis and track and field events are being nurtured. Their athletic team built up for Barcelona with a circuit of six international competitions in England and Wales from June 21 to July 17.

The team to Barcelona will be led by David Tupou, senior vice-president of

Tonga’s National Olympic Committee,

and will also include 1987 South Pacific Games gold medallist, Sione Talia’uli, as boxing coach.

While Tonga may dream of a medal in Barcelona, perhaps through 21 year old boxer Siketi Palaki or weight-lifter Uasi Vi, the reality is they may achieve some personal bests while competing against the world’s best.

But the small island kingdom is moving in the right direction. They have a full time National Olympic Committee office in Nuku’alofa and are working towards developing not only Olympic sports but all sports.

So while it may be quite a few years before Tonga can come into serious contention for an Olympic medal, things can only get better. □