While on a three-day tour of the Kingdom, from October 25-27 and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Tonga National Olympic Committee (NOC), the President and entourage will meet with the Acting Prime Minister, Hon. Samiu Vaipulu and the Minister for Training, Employment, Youth & Sports, Hon. Fe'ao Vakata, followed by visits to schools, sports ground and facilities around Tonga.
The Ministry of Education, Women Affairs and Culture held a special Educational and Cultural School Day on October 26 at the Mala'e Pangai Lahi in the honor of the President.
On the same day, the official ceremony for the TASANOC Golden Jubilee celebration was held at the Tonga National Olympic Committee Headquarters in Haveluloto.
The Tonga National Olympic Committee (NOC) has a rich history of creating sport opportunities for Tonga. First created in 1961 under the Tonga Amateur Sports Association (TASA), she became a member of the IOC (1984) and became the Tonga Sports Association & National Olympic Committee (TASANOC) and a member of the Commonwealth Games Federation (1961) and was one of the founding members of the Pacific Games Council (1963).
Meanwhile, this is the second time a IOC President visits Tonga. Mr. Rogge is the Head of the Olympic Movement. His is the only person in the world capable of canceling the Games of the Olympiad or the Winter Olympics.
Since his inauguration as President of the IOC, Mr. Rogge has focused on eliminating corruption within the IOC, including introducing an anti-doping program that allows athletes to be tested outside of competition. Mr. Rogge was also the first IOC President to stay in the athlete's village at an Olympic Games (Salt Lake City, 2002).
ENDS
Issued by: Ministry of Information and Communications, Nuku'alofa, 2011.
