Hon Prime Minister meets FIFA President
31 July 2023
Nuku’alofa- The Honourable Hu’akavameiliku, Prime Minister of Tonga, met International Federation of Association Football (FIFA)President Gianni Infantino, this morning at the St George Government Building here in Nuku’alofa.
The Hon Hu’akavameiliku welcomed President Infantino on his first visit to Tonga, and at a time when the FIFA Women World Cup is being hosted in Oceania for the first time ever by New Zealand and Australia.
In Tonga for a one-day visit, the Prime Minister and FIFA President discussed issues of critical importance and the strong commitment by FIFA to the development of football in Tonga.
He said that the Tonga Football Association (TFA) continues to appreciate the strong commitment FIFA has offered for the development of football through FIFA Goal Project Funding and FIFA Forward Development Programme Forward 2 and 3 through various grant aids that have either been completed or are still under construction.
Hon Hu’akavameiliku acknowledged the Ministry of Education and Training’s support in facilitating requests from TFA for school involvement in football both at primary school and secondary school levels.
The Prime Minister also shared critical issues experienced by Tonga, the adverse impacts of climate change which affect us and all Pacific Island Countries including football; devastation of natural disasters; health concerns and regional issues.
Football in Tonga was founded by His Late Majesty, King Tupou IV in 1965 and became a full member of FIFA at Chicago FIFA Congress in 1994.
A joint press conference followed by the Hon Prime Minister and President Gianni Infantino at the Ministry of Foreign Affair’s Press Room.
