OFC President Reynald Temarii and FIFA Ambassador Christian Karembeu flew to Tonga to help mark Tonga’s second phase Goal Project groundbreaking ceremony earlier this week.
They were joined by the King of Tonga Siaosi Tupou V, Tonga Football Association President Ahongalu Fusimalohi and FIFA Development Officer Glenn Turner alongside representatives and dignitaries from the Tonga Government and overseas embassies to mark Tonga’s second phase Goal Project groundbreaking ceremony.
The site where the FIFA Technical Centre will be constructed was awash with colour as Karembeu entertained the 500-strong crowd with some of his trademark touches on the ball.
King Tupou V gave a stirring speech on the history of football in Tonga and said the power of the sport to reach the hearts and minds of the people of the South Pacific had the potential to make it the number one sport.
OFC President Reynald Temarii said the Technical Centre was an important facility to help encourage the youth of Tonga to become active in sport – not just football – and that it is an important stepping stone in helping youth fulfil its considerable potential in the same way Christian Karembeu had done in New Caledonia.
Karembeu gave his full backing to the project and reiterated the need for Pacific Island children to believe in their dreams and pursue them.
“Growing up in Lifou and chasing a professional football career in France was a difficult challenge for me but it was one I chose to accept. Once I decided I was going to go to France to play, for me it had to be all or nothing.
This facility will provide the children and youth of Tonga with a very important venue to come and learn about the game of football, the importance of education, and will build self-esteem. I am very proud to say that many good footballers have come from this region and I wish one day to see a Tongan footballer playing in a professional league,” Karembeu said.