Pacific Nations Cup
Win lifts Fiji to ninth
CONGRATULATIONS to the Fiji Water Flying Fijians for re-claiming the Pacific Nations Cup title, after losing it to Samoa last year and for climbing to ninth on the ranking. In front of a jam packed and passionate crowd at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, the formidable Flying Fijians took down Japan 35-12 to secure a clean sweep. They were sizzling and dominant, punishing the Brave Blossoms who were reduced to 14 men when Lappies Labuschagne was shown a red card for contact to Vilimoni Botitu’s head. Fiji was imperious and our superior strength, power play, speed, and handling thrilled. The tries our boys scored through Waisea Nayacalevu, Eroni Mawi, Simione Kuruvoli and Frank Lomani brought the crowd to their feet. Unfortunately, Fiji had three disallowed tries to Tevita Ikanivere, Sireli Maqala and Jiuta Wainiqolo, or else the score-line would have been embarrassing for the hosts. Now that the PNC trophy is in the cabinet, Simon Raiwalui has the mammoth task of naming a squad for the RWC 15s tournament. We have depth in the team. It’s time to emulate the success of the ’07 RWC team! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Balgovind Rd, Nadawa, Nasinu
Buildup to the RWC
CONGRATULATIONS to the Fiji Water Flying Fijians for winning the Pacific Nations series for the sixth time. The team played excellent rugby against the Japanese and beat them 35-12. Our boys took at early lead with a converted try in the third minute. Japan suffered a setback when they had a player red carded for a high tackle. Fiji capitalised on this advantage, scoring two more tries before halftime to lead 21-0. Japan’s defence improved in the second half, preventing some scoring opportunities for Fiji. Fiji increased its lead to 28-0. Japan scored their first try in the 71st minute and their second in the 76th minute. However, Fiji sealed the deal at the stroke of full-time by scoring its fifth try and winning 35-12. Vinaka boys. SANJEET PRASAD Mani Rd, Bulileka, Labasa
Perfect blend
THIS seems — not only on paper but the recent results — the very best prepared national team for a Rugby World Cup. Defeating a resurgent Manu Samoa team in Apia and than the ever-improving Japan team in Japan is a significant boost heading into the world cup The inclusion of Drua players is a perfect catalyst to blend local and overseas based players into a deadly combination. What is eye catching is the depth and backup players in the team that is allowing us to play the full 80 minutes and win games that’s the difference. With the two remaining buildup games and the naming of the 33 member squad one thing is for sure we will definitely have the best to shake and show the world the way Fiji should be. SHALWYN PRASAD Mukta Ben Place, Nabua
600-year sentence
ANNE N. Nelson-Koch, 74, was convicted on all 25 counts stemming from repeated sexual assaults on one of her 14-year-old male students. Nelson-Koch, a teacher at a private school, is said to have assaulted the teenage boy in the basement of the school several times during the 2016-2017 school year. She was 67 at the time and the boy was 14. The jury deliberated just five hours following a three-day trial to return with a guilty verdict. “The victim of these crimes is an incredibly brave young man,” Assistant District Attorney Sarah M. Skiles said about the victim. “He spoke the truth, and the jury heard him loud and clear. We are so grateful to the jury for their dedication to finding the truth.” Skiles asked the judge to keep Nelson-Koch in jail until sentencing, but the Judge Richard Radcliffe released her with a GPS monitor until she is sentenced on October 27. Nelson-Koch faces up to 600 years in prison, according to Monroe County District Attorney Kevin Croninger. Ironically, Donald Trump has committed much worse crimes most of his life and has not even been arrested and may become the president again. What an equitable judicial system. God bless America. ARVIND MANI Nadi
No loan services
TERTIARY Scholarships and Loan Service (TSLS) no longer provides loan services. They forgot to change the name from TSLS to TSS. Can still be done though, but then most of the outstanding loans will still need to be paid back. So no hurry to change the name, for at least another decade! DONALD SINGH Suva
Soccer future
HEY Sukha or Raymond, if by chance you meet this FIFA guy just ask him as to what’s the future of all those playing senior division soccer for men and women in every age category and also in both 11s and futsal. I can’t see any national teams from these divisions. At least rugby has flying Fijians and the Drua SHARIFF SHAH Savusavu
Cost of living
I WAS asked what I was doing at the courthouse building the other day. Applying for a dissolution of marriage as I cannot cope anymore of being in an abusive relationship with the high cost of living I said sarcastically. WISE MUAVONO Balawa, Lautoka Crown Land LOOKING at the vast amount of land owned by the crown or government today, it makes me wonder which part in our historical chapter that a government or colonisers were allocated a parcel or portion of land freely? AREKI DAWAI Maharaj Place, Samabula, Suva
Nuclear water
THANK you Nadia Naaz Aslam for your well-articulated letter (FT 5/8). I hope those who are saying that the release is safe and does not pose any threat to our people and environment will need to think twice. It cannot be ascertained with absolute certainty that it would not cause any harm particularly on our marine life. Can Japan provide evidence to substantiate its claim that the water will have “negligible radiological impact on people and environment”. I wonder why Australia and New Zealand are silent on this issue. Is it because of the AUKUS deal? On one hand we are harping a lot about the loss of our ecosystems from the indiscriminate destruction of our mangroves and uncontrolled logging, but on the other our stance is different when our ocean is being used as dumping ground for nuclear waste. SELWA NANDAN Lautoka
Constitutional review
JALESI Nakarawa’s excellent article (FT 5/08) on the 2013 Constitution should be required reading for all interested in Fijian democracy. As he says, changing the 2013 Constitution as it stands would be “an exercise in futility”. His option on challenging the 2013 Constitution based on the court ruling of 2009 is a possible solution, but it would be a lawyer’s dream case. My option is legally simpler and based on a legal precedent. Have Parliament set up a hypothetical constitution review, possibly using the Ghai draft constitution as a foundation. After reporting its findings, the President, using those famous words, “in exercise of the powers vested in me as President” I abrogate the 2013 Constitution and decree the new constitution as delivered by the 2023 Parliament to be the legal Fiji constitution. The current wording of the present “constitution” 81.(3) states that the President is only commandeer-in-chief ceremonially, should be reworded so that the military forces in taking their oath of allegiance, should swear allegiance to the President rather than the current wording of “…serve our state…”. Any coup leader worth his salt might convince his followers that they are serving the state! A personal oath of fealty to the Head of State as used in the UK and Australia just might get the subject of coups off the breakfast table. TERRY HULME Eastwood, NSW, Australia
Breastfeeding Week
Breastfeeding week started in 1992 to annually celebrate and promote breastfeeding among the millions of mothers. However, the number of breastfeeding mums has not increased substantially. While breastfeeding is the fundamental right of a mother to do so or get other forms of feeding her baby. This is a heavily debated subject and as education spreads more and more women join the workforce. Therefore, they do not have ample time to feed their babies. Not many companies provide essential maternity protection such as paid maternity leave or time off to feed the baby? Modern women are very figure conscious, it’s an asset at work. There is cutthroat competition for promotions. Hence, it’s essential to look good, healthy and attractive. Hence, many mothers do not want to breastfeed lest they become disfigured and lose their market value. However, nature’s law is irrevocable. For centuries people have known that breast fed children are healthier and far more intelligent. They also survive longer than the non-breastfed children. Medical science tells us that mothers should breastfeed their babies for at least two years. But for working mothers this is impossible. The global infant mortality rate shows too many babies die through lack of breastfeeding and a health support system. WHO and UNICEF are desperately trying to educate nursing mothers. However, it all seems to be falling on deaf ears. Mothers, your breast is a natural gift for baby. It is a reservoir for your baby’s health, wellbeing and a healthy future. So mothers, listen and save your babies. DEWAN CHAND Namadi Heights, Suva
Join Asia
TO improve its ranking the Fiji football national team should leave Oceania soccer and join Asian football now. It may take time, but present your proposal. It must play better ranked teams. Start with Asian teams. Please give it a go. For once listen to the people. ASISH VINAY PRASAD Park Rd, Raiwasa
For a day
AS the one day president of the football world, if I was the Fiji Football Association president, I would have passed an opportunistic legislation. If Fiji fails to qualify for the next soccer world cup, all qualification matches have to be played again. But on this occasion, for a 200 team world cup finals. By the way, why can’t the King Pele Fitness Centre be named after a local legend? MOHAMMED IMRAZ JANIF Natabua, Lautoka
Soccer woes
COULDN’T agree more with the critical eye the editor-in-chief Fred Wesley cast on the bad state of soccer in Fiji in his editorial “Where is our soccer heading” in The Sunday Times, August 6. Why has our soccer gone backward? Who is responsible for the decline of our once prestigious position? Why has the beautiful game become so ugly in Fiji? Ask any soccer great of old and he will tell you that’s precisely what has happened. Where does the buck stop? The only people thriving in Fiji soccer seem to be the officials who get elected again and again despite Fiji soccer’s pathetic state. How do they manage that? RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, NSW, Australia
The rod
A WEEKEND newspaper said “Bring Back Rod”, a sentiment of the stakeholders. I am old school and agree that we must not spare the rod, some biblical advice to start with. Today, I say no to corporal punishment. My reason is simple. Our teachers simply don’t know where to stop. A lot of them don’t know how to dish out punishment. Even with corporal punishment banned now, a few teachers are continuing with actually physically punishing, and in some cases hurting little children out of frustration when they discover their own inadequacies in the job. So, this topic is better left out of any education summits or workshops at GPH. Donald Singh, Suva
