Tonga

The groundbreaking and tree-planting ceremony for the offical launch of the FIFA Goal project for the Tonga Football Association was held at Nuku'alofa, Tonga on Tuesday, the 21st of May 2002 marking an historic occasion for football in the country on the very day of the FIFA 98th anniversary. The Goal project for the Tonga Football Association will see the construction of four natural grass playing pitches together with buildings for the residential National Training Centre that will also incorporate the association's headquarters. For more Tonga Football information, please visit FIFA.com. The archipelago of "The Friendly Islands" was united into a Polynesian kingdom in 1845. It became a constitutional monarchy in 1875 and a British protectorate in 1900. Tonga acquired its independence in 1970 and became a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. It remains the only monarchy in the Pacific.