Flying Fijians earn accolades
The Flying Fijians lost to Wales yesterday morning 23-38 in Cardiff, but the boys earned accolades for their performance. The Welsh outfit struggled early on, but their mental and fighting spirit took them through. The Dragons survived a major fright against 14-man Fiji before claiming their first victory of the Autumn Nations Series campaign. After defeats against the All Blacks and Springboks, former Fiji coach Wayne Pivac’s team looked to bounce back. Wales produced some positive moments in their losses, but a consistent concern across both games was the scrum. The history books showed that Wales beat Fiji 10 times in 12 attempts, drawing once and losing an epic contest that saw them knocked out of the 2007 RWC. Eroni Sau’s departure had a significant impact on the performance of the Flying Fijians, but our boys fought bravely, only to be denied by the brilliance of the hosts who played as a unit. However, I was impressed with the firing power and determination of our boys. Waisea Nayacalevu scored two scintillating tries, but in the end, we were ultimately denied a first victory over Wales at home. More efforts are needed, considering the lack of game and preparation time for our boys. Wananavu Viti! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Disciplinary issues
It is such a shame and huge embarrassment, no matter how many times it is drummed into our heads, disciplinary issues reared its ugly head on the international stage, we were reduced to 13 men against Wales, Fiji time on Monday, November 15. Discipline has been our stumbling block, again and again. How do we instil good professional sporting ethics and protocols in our very own Flying Flijians for the entire 80-minute duration? Do we just go “brain dead” when the pressure gets too much to handle? Qi tam rewajia na madua ena rara ni waqe rakavi tinikalima. E bura du na “sin bin”. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi Own enemy Fiji was their own enemy in the Wales game. Well, better luck in the next game. Keep the discipline. Allen Lockington Kava Place, Lautoka Test loss With utmost respect for the players who pull on the Flying Fijians jersey and the effort they put into test matches, despite the world-class talent at disposal, I think the latest test loss due to disciplinary reasons should open up some more eyes. Against tier one nations, I think the Flying Fijians have missed out on making massive statements simply because they did not have all fifteen players on the field throughout the match. I understand there are those moments in rugby matches which are regrettable but for the Flying Fijians, these moments are just too many. I think this needs rectification. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Leaders’ debate
As elections draw closer, I second the motion raised by Unity Fiji party leader requesting a debate among leaders of other political parties (FT 15/11). Can someone please schedule a “showdown” between former PM Mahendra Chaudhary and the articulate A-G live on national television? I actually preferred our good PM going head to head with Mr Chaudhry but the fact of the matter is, I believe, he lacks basic understanding of the GDP concept so it would be utterly pointless to deliberate on matters of general significance with an esteemed individual of Mr Chaudhry’s calibre. Nishant Singh Lautoka
Coconut oil
I think one time, the Fiji Electricity Authority wanted to use edible coconut oil in place of diesel for its generators. I would like to know why this project was shelved. I would also like to know what happened to the wind farm? How about the hydro plant at Savusavu? Is it still operating? Please note, I am asking these questions because I also want to be a climate warrior. Sukha Singh Labasa
Memory loss
There he goes again, the memory loss guy from NSW. I refer to his letter (FT 13/11). Jan Nissar, there are no more “Indians” in any party in Fiji. All are known as Fijians. Ashwin Raj, this Fijian of Indian decent should be taken to task for possibly creating racial discrimination in our beloved country of Fiji. I believe, he is too scared to respond to my simple factual questions. Jan, take a cue from your fellow Sydneysiders — Altauf Chand and Rajend Naidu. I have already confirmed to pay for your return air tickets, no need to send you a plane, it will automatically land in Sydney daily. Suddenly, I realised you are scared to respond to many letters you are asked questions about. You want to maintain your standard (FT 14/11). Just forward your passport identity page and I will upgrade your ticket to business class with our national world class airline, Fiji Airways. My side of the bargain stands, and make sure to bring my favourite white chocolates. In case you can’t remember, then forget it, I will enjoy fresh cow’s milk from Nagoro, Rakiraki. In the meantime, maintain a healthy weight, have time for meditation, practise mindfulness, train your brain and get enough sleep. Kaise baat Jan, oops, you are only kali baat. Raymond Singh Marine Drive, Lautoka
Quarantine arrangements
It was interesting to read Dr James Fong’s description of the 3-day mandatory quarantine arrangements as ‘loose’ (The Fiji Times 15/11). This vindicated the experiences relayed to me by a relative who endured the process of arranging travel and going through the motion of securing the necessary clearances, given the lack of clarity and confusing messages from the border and quarantine people who are supposed to be implementing this plan. For a start, there is a Catch 22 when booking travel and accommodation — one depends on the other and it is such a balancing act with a real risk of losing money in the event either didn’t come through. Then, of course, the travel depends on an expensive PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test conducted within 72 hours of travel! I believe the hotel listing on the MCTTT website is most unhelpful. It does not say clearly that only six hotels are part of this arrangement. And to add to the confusion, these are listed under the hotels for the period before November 11. Interestingly, all other hotels, gearing for the 1 December opening, are also ready and willing to accept bookings without any understanding of the COVID protocols required. And many are a lot cheaper than the minimum $1000 being charged by the six designated hotels for the 3-day package! Then the FMQ Slot Team are most unresponsive. It took several emails over more than a week to get an answer and then a form was sent out to ask for the credit card details. There is no provision to do this electronically. It had to be filled out by hand, scanned and sent back with a reconfirmation telephone call to finalise payment. Not only does this pose security risk, the system is most cumbersome. My relative got the final green light on the eve of the departure and it is a miracle she was able to get away. On arrival at the airport and the hotel, she was alarmed to see the lack of observance of the COVID protocols. They are allowed to mingle, even with people who have been there for the 14-day quarantine, eat at restaurants and use all the facilities such as the gym and pool. According to her, the floor she is staying on has guests sitting around, outside their doors, without masks chatting to each other across the corridor! There is no monitoring or surveillance. My relative rightly feels she would have been safer going straight home and presenting herself for tests, as required by the Ministry of Health. Surely, the authorities can make this a legal requirement. Going from Australia where there have been strict protocols and people do the right thing for the sake of themselves and family, self-quarantining at home would have been far more effective and, of course, cheaper. Now, she is worried about being exposed to the virus at the hotel, having paid close to $3000 for the privilege of returning home. Come on Fiji, surely you can do better than that, especially for the sake of your own returning citizens and residents. Altauf Chand Minto, NSW, Australia
People with standards
People with standards don’t talk about standards. They just show it. Kirti Patel Lautoka
Another assistance
Government should be providing another round of assistance on Christmas and New Year to those vulnerable on Viti Levu who lost jobs because of COVID-19 since it’s not easy to get a job. I believe Fiji’s economy will not be in a stable condition even though borders open in a few weeks. Jaheed Buksh Korolevu, Sigatoka
Rugby support
Thousands of Fiji Rugby supporters were denied the chance to watch and support our Flying Fijians play the Welsh Dragons. None of the free to air channels showed the live coverage. Even our government-owned TV channel didn’t, for which there is only one word can describe. Pathetic! Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
Donor funds
Human rights activist Shamima Ali’s call for government transparency and accountability on the use of donor funds for the tamani size Fiji delegation to COP26 when “people are suffering and struggling to put food on the table” and there was a lot of environmental degradation happening back home (FT 15/11) is quite understandable. It is the stuff of true democracy. But will the people of Fiji get what is being called for? That is the big question. What has been the pattern on the transparency and accountability front under the Government in power for over a decade now? Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Going fishing
A fellow Fijian who lives about 9hrs away, came to Russell to visit, where he and a couple others hired a boat to go fishing. Once they got to the fishing spot, Sam’s (we’ll just call him that) first cast saw the hook lodge deeply into his hand, the captain seeing this and adhering to the strict requirements, radioed in and immediately rushed back into port (against Sam’s pleas to continue fishing), where Sam was expeditiously transferred to the hospital. The nearest hospital to Russell is located at a place called Kawakawa, so needless to say, Sam’s only catch was kawakawa (hospital), he won’t live this one down. Nigel Fiu Russell, New Zealand
