Tutuvatu Forum

Anna · Joined: 17 Dec 2007 Posts: 93

DEPUTY Prime Minister Fred Fono has defended government’s intention to send Minister of Sports, James Tora to the Beijing Olympic Games next month.
This came after a parent, Hudson Kwalea, disputed Mr Tora’s attendance of the Olympics. Mr Kwalea said the minister brought disrepute to the Solomons contingent to the South Pacific Games in Samoa last year.

“Therefore, he should not be allowed to accompany the team going to the Olympics this year,” Mr Kwalea said.

At the Samoa games, Mr Tora was accused by female weightlifter Wendy Hale of making sexual approaches to her. Mr Tora denied the allegations and was understood to have paid compensation to Ms Hale’s relatives.

But deputy Prime Minister Mr Fono said Mr Tora was mandated by the Government to accompany the local contingent. He said the sexual allegation against Mr Tora was not documented and the Government received no reports on that.

“If no report is produced, the allegations cannot be substantiated,” he said. You are innocent until proven guilty,” Mr Fono added.

Mr Tora will be accompanied by his Permanent Secretary Fred Fakarii. Solomon Islands will be represented by three athletes to the Beijing Olympics.

They are Pauline Kwalea and Francis Maneoru who will compete in athletics, and lifter Wendy Hale.
The contingent leaves on August 4.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

Kwalea has a point but Fono's response is pathetic

kalala · Joined: 05 Dec 2007 Posts: 50

At the Samoa games, Mr Tora was accused by female weightlifter Wendy Hale of making sexual approaches to her. Mr Tora denied the allegations and was understood to have paid compensation to Ms Hale’s relatives

If the above statements are true, ie, that Tora did pay compensation, then the allegations must be true. Compensations don't happen from nothing!!! I'm surprsied Fono doesn't it this way.

palabolo · Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Posts: 13

I do not see any real substance in Kwalea's concern since the incident involving Wendy Hale and Tora is clearly over, symbolised by the compensation paid by the latter to Hale's relatives. Tora is the minister responsible for sports and his inclusion in the Beijing contingent is warranted. Tora is a mature person and a leader and i'm sure he has learn from his mistake. Who is Kwalea to stop Tora from attending the Olympics games?
If my memory serves me right, this same person is the secretary of the Ma'asina Forum. He is an opportunist who always prepare to launch attack on others over petty issues.Unfortunately, Tora is trapped into his net!

palabolo

Chala · Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Posts: 144 Location: Fiji

wantoks,
I dont think its such a brilliant idea to send Mr Tora again although he's the Minister for Sports after what he did last year. What would be his role and why not send any other capable person in the Ministry instead? Some people may have a tendency to believe that sending him might bring disrepute or bad luck to the team, knowing what can happen and considering peoples' varied cultural and religious backgrounds. Just a thought.
_________________
One's Life is a journey in a world where one's destiny is influenced by one's surroundings

emel · Joined: 31 Jan 2007 Posts: 2

There are other capable people of leading the team. I wouldn't want my daughter to attend a sporting event with Tora being the Team manager or whatever title he has.

A concern mother.

kalulu · Joined: 27 Feb 2008 Posts: 12 Location: bitterkarukaru

Hi,

I suggest that the next minister of sports should be healthy and fit, and be a sports person. otherwise, Solomon Islands is sending a contradicting message to the rest of the world.

On the other hand, if Wendy Wale is going to be part of the contigent going to China, Tora should never be part of the team. What is a minister's role in the sports arena anyway? this is a waste of SI taxpayers money. He should be doing policy, organisational roles, etc.
no mixim coach wetem Minister.
ufala moa.

Chala · Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Posts: 144 Location: Fiji

Wantoks,
I think thats an important point: whether politicians should go with the team or stay home and settle things and send a sports official.
Lots of money and resources can be saved if they dont go. If they go what benefit will they be to the team(better than any appropriate person) and more importantly the country? Its supposed to be a sports tournament, not a political meeting.There's often no funding for some sports to participate in certain events internationally but there seems to be enough govt money to send the Minister, the PS etc to the games.
_________________
One's Life is a journey in a world where one's destiny is influenced by one's surroundings

jon · Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Posts: 42 Location: Highlands

Apart from the credibility of Tora, perhaps another issue is the number of official going to Beijing. Is the number of official tripple the number of athletes? I know our athletes qualify out of the "wild card", to borrow the term. But wouldn't it be a better time to send a few more athletes than sending the whole officials from NOCSI, who have for the last four years seemingly dead.

I know of the same issue in Fiji in which of the 17 people going to Beijing, only 7 are athletes and 10 of them are officials.

AK47 · Joined: 08 Nov 2007 Posts: 233

John, that is a good point. That is the opposite though, the number of athletes should be bigger the number of officials. This is just ridiculous!
_________________
For of all sad words of tongue or pen,
The saddest are these:
It might have been.
............
John Greenleaf Whittier

dakivolo · Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 89

I agree with those of you who stated that we should just have an officer in the Ministry concerned to accompany our athletes to Beijing, rather than having a full contingent of government officials. It is quite ridiculous though to note that the number of officials is more than the number of athletes. What is the justification for this? Additionally, I think Tora should not be allowed to go to Beijing at all due to his behaviour in Samoa during the recent South Pacific games. In other countries, such people like Tora will not be allowed anywhere near a girl they have been accused of abusing in any way.
More importantly, I think the Minister of Sports and his PS should just remain in the country and deal with the numerous sports issues that are currently affecting our country. Furthermore, the parliament will still be on session when the Minister concerned and his PS will leave for Beijing, if I don’t get my dates wrong. Hence, it is more important for the Minister of Home Affairs to attend parliament meetings and deliberate on matters affecting our people, rather than to attend the Olympic Games, where he will just be a spectator.
I believe the money allocated for the SI officials on this trip may be well spent to improve sporting facilities in some parts of our country, where more of our young people will benefit from.