‘Ahongalu Fusimālohi claims politics has engulfed TASANOC and members are not doing their jobs. Photo/Kaniva Pacific News
The Tonga Association of Sports and National Olympics Committee’s (TASANOC) Interim General Secretary ‘Ahongalu Fusimālohi has resigned, claiming others were taking credit for his work while he was being left to shoulder the blame.
He claimed there was too much politics in the association and no work being done at all.
Fusimālohi tendered his resignation effective last Tuesday, July 28.
TASA President Robyn Kaho did not immediately respond to our requests for comments.
Former TASA Secretary General Takitoa Taumoepeau, who is still with the national sport authority, confirmed Fusimālohi’s resignation to Kaniva News, but did not say why he had left.
Taumoepeau said the post was being occupied and temporarily held by Kaho.
Fusimālohi was at the centre of strong public criticism during last month’s Pacific Games in Port Moresby after 59 athletes arrived at the Fua’amotu Airport to find out their names were not on the manifest for the flight to PNG.
Athletic officials accused Fusimālohi of being responsible, something he denied. The government finally stepped in and the athletes were later able to fly to PNG on chartered flights.
Fusimālohi claimed it was his tireless efforts that all Tongan finally made it to Papua New Guinea. Without his efforts Tonga would have had no players at the Games.
In an e-mail to Kaniva News, he said: “The report to Government on the use of funds for the PNG has been audited and forwarded to government.”
He believed some people at TASA were trying to push him aside after the good work he had done for the benefit of TASA during the Games.
“I did the work and had my report to the government duly audited and have now opted to step aside since other people took the credit of my work and I took the blame,” Fusimālohi said.
“Had I not walked in at the last minute, no one would have gone to PNG.”
In 2012 Fusimalohi lost his job as chief executive of Tonga’s soccer’s association after he and a collegue advised undercover reporters posing as lobbyists how to bribe FIFA officials with $1 million.
TASA has been in hot water since last month and this week Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva said in New Zealand that the organisation was being audited.
Hon. Pohiva said that if it was found that funds had been mishandled, those responsible would be sacked.
The Prime Minister said the TASA saga had gone on for a long time and his government would not tolerate it anymore.
The main points
- The Tonga Association of Sports and National Olympics Committee’s (TASANOC) Interim General Secretary ‘Ahongalu Fusimālohi has resigned, claiming others were taking credit for his work while he was being left to shoulder the blame.
- Fusimālohi was at the centre of strong public criticism during last month’s Pacific Games in Port Moresby last month after 59 athletes arrived at the Fua’amotu Airport to find out their names were not on the flight list to PNG.
- Athletic officials accused Fusimalohi of being responsible, something he denied.
- Fusimālohi claimed it was thanks to his tireless efforts that all Tongan finally made it to Papua New Guinea.
For more information
Tonga charters flight for 59 stranded Pacific Games athletes (RNZI)
Stranded Tongan athletes hope to make it to the Pacific Games on time (ABC Pacific Beat)
