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It is now Sports Week in Tonga and a new initiative to open a Sports Hall of Fame is underway. Ten names have been put forward from legendary boxers Sione Halafihi and Kitione Lave from the 1950’s to former rugby players Fakahau Valu, Talikava Kava and Quddus Fielea.

This is a great idea by the Ministry of Training, Employment, Youth and Sports as Tonga has had many great sports-people. The debate will not only be centred on who has been included but also who has been left out which will be a discussion in the ‘kalapus’ throughout Tonga for sure.

The question to be asked is this, are Tongans who represent other countries eligible? For example is Musashimaru a.k.a. Fiamalu Penitani included? He was the second foreign-born wrestler in sumo’s 1000 year history to reach the highest rank of ‘yokozuna’ in Japan and would arguably be considered one of the greatest athletes in the world. Add to this list rugby players like the rampaging All Back Jonah Lomu, Greatest All Black try-scorer Doug Howlett, World Cup winning Wallaby rugby players Viliami Ofahengaue, Toutai Kefu and George Smith, to Australian World Cup Netball Champion Mo’onia Gerrard and NFL Football Star Vai Sikahema plus many others. In the future there will be others like current Women’s World Shotput Champion Valerie Vili and NFL player Haloti Ngata who was the highest ever Tongan, and possibly Pacific Islander, to enter the NFL Draft after being selected as a 1st round draft pick at #12.

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