Tonga Football Association (TFA) has ushered in a new era for Tongan football with the completion of a successful FIFA Goal Project that has seen the construction of international standard fields, a national academy and new headquarters.
TFA President Ve’ehala has been instrumental in bringing about the changes. The ‘Home of Football’ is now a hive of activity with various domestic competitions being held at the new facility. National sides and elite players also assemble there to prepare for matches.
Football still comes second to the all-pervasive sport of rugby but the global game is becoming increasingly popular among the island’s younger population. TFA is working hard to develop their grassroots programmes as well as improve standards at the elite level with a long-term roadmap to ensure national teams become more competitive in Oceania. Since hosting the OFC U-19 Women’s Championship in 1999, Tonga has continued to place high importance on the women’s game.