Hit sports headlines
Headlines such as, “Nainoca buries doubts in sand”, “Kororua sets firsts”, “Medal for a late granny”, “Gold was not on my mind”, “Building legacies”, “Savea wins medal for island school”, “Buna’s a first timer and winner”, “Aminiasi jumps to new record”, “Tavuyara wins on faith, grace” and “Boost for Triple N champ” made the Coca-Cola Games come alive.
The Fiji Times did a wonderful build-up, heading to the Fiji Finals and then a fantastic coverage for the three-day event.
Students loved reading the experiences of their colleagues who took part in the mecca of athletics.
Reading such pieces, shows the enormous efforts put in by those involved in the games.
Athletics needs a boost, heading to the Pacific Games.
We need to bring back the glory days when our men and women ruled the tracks in the Pacific Games.
We are losing a lot of our potential athletes to rugby and this was correctly pointed out by former Fiji school teacher and former national athletics selector Bob Snow that athletics in Fiji would take a nosedive in the future if other sports continued to attract athletes.
Somehow our athletes, who shine during the Fiji Finals, fade away as time passes.
It’s a pity that the lure of other sports, in particular rugby, could kill athletics.
It’s time heads must start rolling and we need to inject funds into athletics of fear losing top athletes.
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
Sports unites
Indeed Fred Wesley, let the games begin, of what is expected to be three exciting days of athletics action at the National Stadium in Suva (Editorial FT 18/8).
The old scholars are definitely loading social media, showing their support and allegiance — a far cry from the many negative political postings.
Likewise the internet and high visibility in the media have raised the profile of the Coca-Cola Games.
Sports is there to unite, unlike politics mainly to divide.
Again I am looking forward to see which parties’ manifestos promote the return of municipal council elections and the retirement age from 55 years to 60.
Good to see so much support for youth development projects, but all at the expense of taxpayer funding and donor agencies.
There is so much negativity thrown about between political parties that is definitely confusing the voters.
Last but not the least, I do agree with Tarun Tikaram that voters are being warned to make a wise, smart and a careful judgment when voting (FT 18/8).
On that note, I invite Tarun to be the chief guest at the Lautoka Golf Club on September 3, to hand over my personal donation of $7000 towards WOWS Kids Fiji.
No politics involved whatsoever.
How many politicians can do that before the 2022 General Election?
Raymond Singh, Golf Links, Lautoka
Oldest trick in the book
They say politics is a dirty business.
So you shouldn’t be surprised with some of the shenanigans leading up to the next election.
If the polls are looking a little too close for comfort, some can revert to that very old character assassination strategy of digging up dirt to cause doubt about a person’s ethics, morals or their ability to lead.
It’s the oldest trick in the book.
So if you leave yourself wide open, beware.
You’re being scrutinised with a fine tooth-comb as if you’re a danger to national security.
However you can take heart from Proverbs 21:18; “What a bad person plots against good, boomerangs; the plotter gets it in the end!”
Colin Deoki, Australia
Violent gang brawls
There’s lots being written about the recent Raiwai gang fracas with the usual “who to blame” opinions appearing everywhere.
We read that some consider the police have failed, some consider the churches have failed, some consider the government has failed, some consider the parents have failed and some consider “experts” are needed to study the reasons.
This behaviour is nothing new, it has been happening in just about every country for years and Fiji is no different.
You can guarantee that every individual involved knew what they were doing was both illegal and morally wrong so the “blame” must be placed on them alone.
There will always be some individuals that refuse to conform, that’s what prisons are for.
Grahame Stageman, Lami
Vulagi, visitor
Classifying Indo-Fijians as visitors should not result in one throwing a hissy fit.
I unequivocally have no reservations about being branded a vulagi or a second-class citizen.
I am actually super proud of my Indian ancestry as we “kai-indias” have indisputably accomplished to gain a foothold globally in terms of space technology, defence, IT, finance, health care and science.
Not to mention the immense contribution and influence of the meticulous girmitiya to Fijian economy since the 1800s.
Personally I would prefer to be addressed as a “kai-india” than to be labelled a Fijian.
Vulagi and a second-class citizen?
No worries, I’ll contentedly accept that too.
It’s not like I’ll be “gone with the wind” with such categorisations.
Nishant Singh, Lautoka
Commission’s ruling
In response to a complaint from the Fiji Labour Party alleging harassment of its supporters by police the Electoral Commission has said that it is of the view that the Fiji Police Force is well within its power to conduct investigation.
Therefore, the force did not breach Section 111(1) of the Electoral Act 2014.
In my opinion the powers vested in the police to conduct investigation is not being challenged here.
I think the bone of contention in this case is whether it was appropriate for them to ask questions such as: Who paid for the grog? Who gave the food? Who set up the lights? What was the reason for these questions and what were they trying to establish?
And more importantly have they asked the same questions to supporters of other political parties.
SELWA NANDAN, Lautoka
Tourists numbers
How many transit through Nadi with the national airlines.
Are they included in the record numbers.
Dan Urai, Lautoka
Spot on
I believe Professor Paresh Narayan is spot on in highlighting in yesterday’s The Fiji Times about the need for a national research council.
I deeply believe a research council could give rise to think tanks which could provide solutions to most of our economic and social problems.
Pranil Ram, Votualevu, Nadi
Thought provoking
Compared with yesteryears, isn’t it a thought provoking revelation the degree of focus on security and safety measures for the secondary schools athletics meet?
Mohammed Imraz Janif, Natabua, Lautoka
Election candidate
A candidate in the upcoming general election Hiroshi Taniguchi says he does not want to sell his face to the people but to tell them about the ideas he has for a better Fiji (FT 19/8).
That’s so profound a change in post coup Fiji politics which has been centred around certain faces.
Rajend Naidu, Sydney, Australia
COVID protocols
During all these events, have the people forgotten about all the protocol for safety?
Yes, I know that we all hate covering our faces but at least follow the social distancing protocol and some other hygiene rules.
Let us not forget what may be there to come.
KELEPI DAKUIYACO, Waikalou, Serua
Mickey mouse
Time will tell who is playing Mickey Mouse.
The big Mickey Mouse game is when one has to ask about every single thing.
Prof Biman Prasad and Mr Rabuka call the shots straight up even to the extent of going to apologise.
It’s not everyone’s cup of tea.
Kirti Patel, Lautoka
Taking a firm stand
The editor-in-chief, Fred Wesley, in his editorial “Fighting the glue sniffing trend” (FT 19/08) had highlighted some very important issues that need to be addressed right away.
It is rather sad that children are openly buying the particular branded glue on the pretext of repairing their shoes but sniff it away.
It is a very serious matter.
I applaud Wesley and The Fiji Times for bringing this issue up.
I personally feel that as long as there is an existing demand the supply will be maintained and if businesses continue to sell that particular brand to minors then the problem will never be eradicated.
We cannot blame peer pressure alone.
All stakeholders should join in to solve this problem.
Even the law enforcement officers will be outnumbered in combating this racket.
My humble plea for the leaders of our beloved nation to make new laws or amend existing laws that punishes both the buyers and sellers of this glue.
A complete ban on its sale to the minors to be put in place.
Furthermore, greater awareness should be created on the ill effects of glue sniffing.
Glue sniffing and illicit drugs are wrongs which steals a better future from our youths.
Wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it and right is right even if no one is doing it.
DINESH KUMAR, Ba
Managing diabetes for life
The picture of cute two-year-old who is Fiji’s youngest type 1 diabetes patient, Mervin Chute, with his mother Christine Maharaj, in The Fiji Times (FT 17/8) is a wakeup call to take care of our health.
Diabetes cannot be reversed but we can still live a normal life maintaining a good diet, exercise, and medication.
The chairperson of Diabetes Fiji Inc, Taabish Akbar also emphasises that the child is managing well with insulin like “gold” and there is a need to support such cases.
Christine, you are a hero with the strength that leads you to have a normal life with your son.
Living with diabetes is tough and it is a lifetime challenge to maintain it.
God bless you both.
Tahir Ali, Hamilton, New Zealand
Importance of reading!
The importance of reading is aptly described in these quotes by George Martin, “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies.
The man who never reads lives only one,” and Dr Seuss, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
Beautiful quotes that remind us about the importance of reading!
In his visit to Nadavaci in Natewa, Cakaudrove, the editor-in-chief, Fred Wesley, was overwhelmed by the villagers’ efforts to read The Fiji Times daily.
This ensured the villagers weren’t left out in the greater scheme of things and stayed abreast with news and developments around Fiji.
It assisted the villagers to improve their reading and English and if these villagers’ can take the massive step of walking miles to read, why can’t we start with a story book or a copy of The Fiji Times!
Imagine the wealth of resources and information contained in that book or The Fiji Times!
Parents must take the lead role — they must read and encourage their children to read.
We need to shift away from the TV and mobile phone culture to reading.
Let’s revive the days of reading!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
New coffee shop
While the excitement is brewing towards the impending construction of a coffee shop at the Lautoka Botanical Gardens, can the authorities responsible for this development advise the public of the completion timeframe of this project?
Or will this venture too “be gone with the wind”, just like that of the incomplete $12m swimming pool?
On a different note, has anyone managed to locate the whereabouts of renegade former Lautoka lawyer Aman Ravindra-Singh?
Nishant Singh, Somewhere in the Mamanucas
World Humanitarian Day
The World Humanitarian Day on August 19 on the theme “Human Race” should be celebrated by all human beings with humanistic approaches.
This can only be achieved with many challenges including the issues of climate change in this ever rising global warming.
The humanitarian actions with the people in solidarity is a way forward to live in peace.
This is what matters the most to live with dignity in the rocking global food crisis.
Wherever you are, I hope you celebrated this day with concern for those who are struggling to survive in this world full of crisis.
Life is what you celebrate.
Tahir Ali, Hamilton, New Zealand
Hard-earned retirement
Anyone knows where our former president, Jioji Konrote is?
Haven’t seen or heard of him since his departure.
I hope he is doing well and is around.
Please enjoy your hard-earned retirement which is a gift in itself.
Suresh Chand, Nadi
Climate funds
Being commitment -fatigued and pledged – fatigued (FT 17 /08) is not an unexpected outcome,
on the “rich” countries’ 2020 promise,
to provide $100 billion,
in climate aid to the “poor” countries.
We are now two years over,
but have not yet reached that cover.
Will most probably not achieve it, given all the different human and natural crises.
COP27 certainly has its work already cut out,
coz it’s something they should try to sort out.
Edward Blakelock, Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour
Delay and denial
I read an online statement with the conclusion that “a delay is not denial, but a time of preparing you for the promise”.
Well, I certainly do not agree with this opinion.
I strongly believe that a delay is indirectly a denial.
I may not be alone in realising that we have been denied on multiple occasions of what we actually deserve.
It may have been promised time and time again but never delivered.
It is that time of the year where we are bound to listen to numerous promises.
How many of these promises would be actually delivered?
A certain portion maybe but the rest of it would be either delayed or denied.
Do not live in delusion.
DINESH KUMAR, Ba
Farebrother, Skipper Cup
Tag
The dust has settled.
The Farebrother Sullivan Trophy and the Skipper Cup are both in the West.
Congratulations to Nadroga and Nadi.
Thank you Naitasiri for giving Nadi a tough game.
You could have won but it was the flow of the game that decides.
The Farebrother and the Skipper Cup will be celebrating Christmas and the New Year in the vanua o Nadroga/Navosa and the vanua o Nadi.
The white stallion will be jumping with joy while the sleeping giant will be smiling from above.
Hakwa Nadro!
O Nadi ko!
Vili Yaranamua, Ba
Rights of the minority
I have a huge distrust of people, politicians and political parties who vie for indigenous rights in a country where the indigenous people form the vast majority of the population and their rights, land and everything else are securely protected, just so that they can win votes based on emotion.
I believe these same people seem to fear God and quote from the holy books and teach our children all the wrong things.
Such God-fearing people should really feel for the rights of the minority, I believe.
But then this is Fiji.
Jan Nissar, NSW, Australia
Misleading statements
Fact-checkers at the Washington Post newspaper say Trump made more than 30,000 false or misleading statements during his four-year term from 2017 (Yahoo! News 16/8).
Wonder if Fiji has any parallel fact-heckers?
Rajend Naidu, Sydney, Australia
Special day
World Humanitarian Day is observed annually on August 19.
The purpose is to honour all of the humanitarians who have tirelessly worked to further and promote a variety of humanitarian causes, all over the world.
It is also a day to remember those people who have lost their lives in the service of a humanitarian cause.
This pandemic has highlighted a lot of humanitarian causes where new NGOs and good Samaritans came to ground level to assist people in the community who were in need.
This World Humanitarian Day we continue to bring attention to the millions of civilians affected by armed conflict every day.
People in cities and towns struggle to find food, water, and safe shelter, while fighting drives millions from their homes.
Children are recruited and used to fight, and their schools are destroyed.
Women are abused and humiliated.
As humanitarian workers deliver aid, and medical workers treat the wounded and sick, they are directly targeted, treated as threats, and prevented from bringing relief and care to those in desperate need.
Our Fijian Samaritans with NGOs have helped so many families during the lockdowns as we all came together to combat COVID-19.
World Humanitarian Day is an annual reminder of the need to act to alleviate suffering.
It is also an occasion to honour the humanitarian workers and volunteers toiling on the front lines of crises.
I pay tribute to these dedicated women and men who brave danger to help others at far greater risk.
“It’s hard to find a good Samaritan who cares to help without any cause.”
Vinaka.
Neelz Singh, Lami
World Humanitarian Day
World Humanitarian Day 2022 took place on Friday, August 19.
It is commemorated every year to pay tribute to humanitarian workers killed and injured in the course of their work, and to honour all aid and health workers who continue, despite the odds, to provide life-saving support and protection to people most in need.
The idea originated on August 19, 2003, after a bomb attack on the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq, killing 22 humanitarian aid workers, including the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, five years later, the General Assembly adopted a resolution designating August 19 as World Humanitarian Day (WHD), the volunteers and the humanitarian workers acknowledged worldwide for their contribution.
In Fiji there are many Non-Government Organisations that immediately engage volunteers in any disaster to ensure the safety of the people who are adversely affected.
They leave behind their loved one and ignore the challenges faced but are there to provide comfort to the needy.
The supply of shelter, food and the necessities of life are done at their own cost and are away from the comfort of their homes for countless numbers of days.
I believe that Fiji needs more volunteers, and the service of the Fijian volunteers is greatly appreciated.
Swami Vivekananda Quoted that: “Service to man is service to God” and in the Bible in Peter 4:10-11 states that each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.
Such event here needs to be celebrated in a bigger scale throughout the country in the appreciation of those involved.
Satish Nakched, Suva
Unemployed pilots
Imagine the enthusiasm when told that you are selected for a three-year pilot training on a TELS scholarship.
And then the feeling when told that there is no job at the end of the training.
Forty-eight of the 60 who have not found any piloting job were on TELS scholarship.
So there is a debt sitting on their heads with no immediate means to pay.
Private students who can afford, will go overseas to further their training and some may be absorbed by Airports Fiji but that is a remote possibility because I believe if they can’t get into Fiji Airways at the floor level, they don’t stand a chance with Fiji Airports who now manage Fiji Airports.
I believe the unemployment situation smacks right in the face of poor HR planners and HR policy makers and those who provide scholarships.
What will happen to those who are in the various phases of training and still in the flying schools?
Ajai Kumar, Nadi
Life-saving procedure
Hear!
Hear!
My fullest concurrence must go to Ajai Kumar, Nadi – FT Friday, August 19, 2022.
Thank you, sir.
You are definitely on point and truly spot-on.
Absolutely, most accurately and undeniably dead certain.
Excellently well-delivered lines.
I salute you, handsomely.
The affluent on our shores are the most privileged.
In any heart emergency they get “medivac” overseas for immediate surgery.
They rest is all history now.
The stats speak volumes for themselves.
Whose responsibility has it been to ensure in the past 16 years to guarantee and deliver heart surgery locally?
The needy and the poor need upwards of $30,000 to get surgery in distant India.
Our sincere thanks must go to Aspen Medical Fiji in the Sugar City, Lautoka, this life-saving procedure may become available soon.
Cheers to them.
Your caring kai Nadi retiree shares his viewpoint most respectfully.
The cold hard truth always prevails.
RONNIE CHANG, Martintar, Nadi
Memories of a lifetime
I quote Fiji Secondary Schools Athletics Association president Marika Uluinaceva, “When we prepare for athletics, we prepare for the most basic fitness, speed, stamina and others in an athlete”.
I also quote Lawrence Tikaram, “The torch lighting symbolises a lot of things. It symbolises the resilience of our country and our athletes. The Olympic torch is a sign of solidarity and in unison with the friendly rivalry we are known for on-and-off the tracks for our schools”.
This year’s Coca-Cola Games embodies the true spirit of the Olympic Games and is set to inspire our athletes.
There were upsets on day one as small schools stole the limelight.
In the blue ribbon event, MGM’s Waisale Inoke and Kesaia Boletakanakadavu looked hot as they recorded the fastest times.
Jasper’s Hina Funabashi and Korovuto’s Vishant Reddy also made headlines as they won the senior girls and inter boys 1500m.
There were tears of joy for the athletes who grabbed a medal.
The atmosphere was electrifying.
The sea of colours at the HFC Stadium signified a united Fiji.
The teachers, many of whom were officials, gave everything they had.
The Fiji Final has built a wonderful legacy which would be worth talking about in weeks to come.
Stories and pictures that made The Fiji Times will go into the annals of athletics.
These memories are for a life time.
As we prepare for the climax, best wishes to our athletes.
Let’s enjoy the treat at the HFC Stadium!
Sau Viti!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
