Contact: Malia Katoa

+676 875 9595

Malia.Katoa@digicelgroup.com

Digicel Tonga

DIGICEL SUPPORTS PARALYMPIC ATHLETE TO REPRESENT TONGA IN BEIJING

Monday 11 August 24, 2008 – Nuku’alofa Tonga: Mo’unga ‘a e Fonua ‘Okusitino of Lapaha will represent Tonga at the Paralympic Games in Beijing, China from Sept 6-17. The Digicel sponsored athlete who is hemiplegic or paralysed on his right side will compete in the 100m and 200m race in his own class.

For months he trained at Teufaiva Stadium with three hour sessions in the morning and another two in the afternoon; “I am really excited,” he says. Mo’unga will stop in Sydney, Australia to visit his parents Fuasino and Pollinate and family. He is one of eleven children. This will be his second trip overseas. His first was last year when he competed at the Arafura Games in Darwin, Australia.

Digicel is sponsoring Mo’unga ‘a e Fonua ‘Okusitino to take part in this great event.

Digicel Tonga Marketing Manager Talai Lene today emphasized Digicel’s continuous support for special needs people in Tonga. “This financial assistance will help Okusitino focus on his training and Digicel will make sure he arrives to the games in Beijing. He is representing Tonga at the Paralympic games and all our customers have contributed through this monetary assistance to make his dream come true”.

President of the Tonga National Paralympic committee, Lavinia Satini has worked with the Alonga centre in Pea for 32-years. Asked about the Digicel sponsorship, she said “It is a great help and it came in the right time and Digicel gave full heartedly. We look forward to developing our partnership with Digicel to develop Paralympic sports in Tonga”,” she said.

 In addition to sponsorship, Digicel also donated a computer and free internet for the Alonga Centre, Lavinia Satini added. Correspondence for her now is twice as easy. In the past months, Digicel has also contributed groceries from the staff and have commenced regular visits to all special needs centres as part of their monthly DigiCare program”

Digicel supports Paralympic athletes across the Pacific region in the countries where it operates.

ABOUT DIGICEL PACIFIC

Since its launch in the South Pacific in November 2006, Digicel has become the fastest-growing mobile operator in the Pacific, with current operations in Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea. The company was recently granted licenses by the Governments of Fiji and has commitments from several other countries in the Pacific.

Digicel has contributed to the 0.7% growth to the GDP[1][1][1] of Papua New Guinea since its launch as the second mobile operator on July 20, 2007.

Digicel is the largest operator in the Caribbean operating in 23 markets and rolling out new operations in Central America. The company is renowned for competitive rates, unbeatable coverage, and superior customer care, a wide variety of products and services, and state-of-the-art handsets.

Digicel is proud sponsor of several national rugby teams across the South Pacific including; Fiji Rugby, Digicel Fiji 7’s, Digicel Tonga Ikale Tahi 7s and 15s, Digicel Vanuatu 7’s and 15’s and the Digicel PNG Pukpuks. Digicel is also the proud sponsor of the Vanuatu Cricket team. For more information, please visit http://www.digicelpacific.com/ or http://www.digiceltonga.com/