The Pacific Games Council is aiming to make a recommendation for a new 2019 host by the end of August after Tonga’s withdrawal from hosting the event was made official.

Tonga’s Parliament repealed the Pacific Games Organising Act earlier last week, signaling the end of any hopes they would stage the event.

The country was handed a deadline of June 30th to address financial concerns over staging the 2019 Pacific Games, or they risk officially losing the hosting rights.

Fiji pulled out of the running to be a potential replacement host following a series of consultations, earlier this month.

Fijian capital city Suva has hosted the Games on three previous occasions in 1963, 1979 and 2003.