Ready to raid Taveuni
Teams heading to the Garden Island left our shores in high spirits as the Fiji Bitter Wairiki 7s tournament kicked off on Wednesday. It was pleasing to see the Police Blue women’s 7s team at the Naiyalayala Jetty on Taveuni oozing with confidence in the lead-up to the battle at the Wairiki Parish ground. The success of the Raiwasa Taveuni team and the fact that the likes of Jeremaia Matana, Iowane Teba, Daniele Yaya, Manueli Maisamoa and Iowane Raturaciri made the national 7s team has inspired those on the Garden Island as they are hoping for more boys from Taveuni to make the cut for the next leg. This is also an opportunity for those knocking on the 7s door to impress selectors as FRU plans to unearth more talents heading into the 2022 season. There is no shortage of talents here, and we must nurture players who could sign up with clubs. Wishing the players and team management all the best as they prepare to battle it on the playing field, and then enjoy the Garden Island’s hospitality and scenery! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Smuggling activities
I read with interest that while monitoring the movement of vessels at the Suva harbour, FRCS (Fiji Revenue and Customs Service) officers identified an unusual offloading of cartons from the pilot boat to a vehicle (FT 8/12). The search of the items led to the confiscation of assorted alcohol and cigarettes which were believed to have been unlawfully removed from an international cargo vessel. But I am more curious to know who is policing the vessels while they are away from the port and within Fiji waters. Are they under surveillance when anchored in the streams? If they are bold enough to use the pilot boat to smuggle the goods, then there may be other smuggling activities going on undetected. This discovery could be just a tip of the iceberg. SELWA NANDAN Lautoka
Olympics coaches
Can we consider getting back the two masterpieces of our Olympics triumphs as coaches to lead us on to the road to a trilogy of Olympics gold? What a moment that would be, 2024 Olympics gold winners Fiji the way the world should see! So can we shut the gates and focus, make, innovate and bring the veilomani and talanoa guru Ratu Peni Rayani aka Ben Ryan and Ratu Gareti Baba aka Gareth Baber to become the co-coaches of Fiji 7s. I am sure we will lave every rara and smash the best to rest. Joka dina Peni kei Gareti. Show them to them that only Viti can show the vuravura our naba dua just like The Viti Times kaukauwa dina. Shalwyn Prasad Mukta Ben Place, Nabua, Suva
What can be done
I met some night divers. They dive for fish to sell, feed fish markets, the hotels and public at large. They pay their bills, put food on the table, pay the middlemen, the boat owners and many other costs. Free divers dive only in the day, then there are those who use scuba gear, they dive at night. I have been told they are facing some difficulties, they have had their gear and fish confiscated and sometimes even the boat is held. They take nothing home. Line fishermen don’t know what fish has been caught on the line, the diver chooses what size fish he shoots. He doesn’t shoot any how. He knows what fish is banned, varivoce, the donu etc., especially during spawning season. They keep to the law. Yet somehow the law is a barrier for them. Just imagine all night, using their natural breath only to come to shore and have their fish confiscated. Their family wait at home to buy food only to find out their daddy had been arrested and in police custody. Long story short, what can be done for them. I plead on their behalf. Allen Lockington Kava Place, Lautoka
Spanish foray
The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain. The two upcoming tournaments in January in the current world seven series, will both be contested in Malaga. For the boys, the climb is getting harder. Luckily, they now have ample time, to revisit their running lines and cut out the handling and tackling errors. That was the past, this is a new endeavour. The experience gained so far for the newbies, should make them “set”, with the inclusion of Jerry. They surely will be training hard this holiday season, for just one and only reason. That is to get back on top of the points table. We know they can do it, because they are more than capable. So hope it will be raining in Spain, but with tries, from our team, like lightning strikes, with tackles that will sound like thunder on the dry Spanish plains in Malaga. Edward Blakelock Admiral Circle Pacific Harbour
Memory loss
Bula Jan Nissar. Indeed I believe you have a memory loss after reading your letter (FT 7/12). I vividly remember you telling me that you did not want to talk about 7s rugby anymore. Nevertheless, you cannot deny the fact that now you call 7s rugby a silly game and insulting the diehard rugby fans of our beloved country. Front and back pages of both the dailies have extensive coverage of this very popular code and luckily for you there is always the freedom of speech to express your views. I personally think you should worry more about your adopted country Australia where the Omicron variant cases are growing in your state of NSW. Unless, you have sneaked into our small island nation to avoid all the hustle and bustle Mr Know It All. I do hope me and my countless 7s rugby fans will meet you in person very soon. Toso Viti toso. Tomasi Nanuqa Tavakubu, Lautoka
Grafted person
Wow, William Rosa of Ba (FT 9/12). I concur with you that pseudo-Australians like Jan Nissar don’t appreciate the effort and sweat put in by the real original Australians. Definitely it pays to remember a pseudo-Australian like him who is not the original stock but grafted on to the original stock. Jan, you kept harping about me putting my money where my mouth is to pay for your airfares to Fiji. I am reliably informed that you are the same person as Jan Mohammed. Correct me if I am wrong, I will eat my words together with scrub from my commercial lots directly opposite South Seas Club. Definitely, you are already in Lautoka so on a positive note my savings from the air tickets will go towards WOWS Kids Fiji at the Lautoka Golf Club this Saturday. I truly keep my money where my mouth is and much more. Finally, a snooker buddy of mine from South Seas Club told me of a photo of you in the other newspaper. He fully agreed with me about my take on Donald Duck the popular cartoon character created by The Walt Disney company and appeared with Mickey Mouse in Orphans Benefit. Take me on Jan Nissar. Kaila! Raymond Singh Golf Links, Lautoka
Overseas letters
I find it very strange that your newspaper prints letters from writers who are abroad. It would be understandable if their letters contribute to the development of our nation but most of these writers from overseas are critical of local politics, people or government. There is nothing better for them to do. We are matured enough to think for ourselves and manage our own affairs and do not need rubbish from these writers. I suggest that you use your good judgment and print only those letters whose writers are physically staying or present in Fiji at the time of writing, even if they are tourists. Ajai Kumar Waqadra Coop Rd, Waqadra, Nadi
Writers award
ON the powers vested under your authority Mr Singh, I hereby request that your good office to solemnly award the prestigious first-rate letter writer’s award to Donald Duck. Vina du valevu Momo! AREKI DAWAI Suva
Safety as a nation
The Fiji Times editorial on ‘Worrying turn of events’ (FT 08/12) creates awareness for us all about our safety as a nation, and is a way forward for our wellbeing. Our future depends on how we react to stand by all those who care for us in this devastating time of COVID-19 Omicron. Let’s accept reality and act on it. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Why exemption?
Why is EFL being exempted from being audited by the Auditor-General? I wouldn’t have bothered to ask if I wasn’t a shareholder. Sukha Singh Labasa
Graduation process
A humble request to the universities if they can make arrangements for the graduation process to be held at all locations rather than just in Suva. It will be easier for all. I believe Lautoka residents prefer it to be here in Lautoka and likewise for other areas. I hope this request can be accommodated for the convenience of many. Kirti Patel Lautoka
COVID-19 vaccine
So a three-shot course of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is able to neutralise the new Omicron variant in a laboratory test? Kemudou, we might be receiving vaccination for the rest of our lives! Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
14 years in power
After more than 14 years in power and record national loans, I believe some villages in the interior of Viti Levu are still inaccessible by road as the price of basic food items skyrocket and wages plunge. Dan Urai Lautoka
Helping hand
I just noticed that there are various organisations that are doing their jobs by preserving the environment which is really a job well done, but in my point of view we can’t just sit there and watch them do their work. We should at least try helping them protect our native lands or in other words, giving them a helping hand. Also, isn’t it a role as a citizen of this nation to serve and keep our surroundings clean? KELEPI DAKUIYACO Waikalou, Serua
Professional structure
It is very sad to see that hardly any local soccer player is playing professional soccer in any top league in the world. A professional structure like the Fiji Rugby Union is the solution. Wake up Fiji FA! Asish Vinay Prasad Park Rd, Raiwasa, Suva
