Ba rugby and soccer
Hearty congratulations to the Ba Rugby Union team for making a grand return to top flight rugby after 33 years. Predominantly a soccer crazy town, Ba rugby will feature in the 2024 Skipper Cup for the first time. Previously, Fiji FA had struck a deal with the Ba Town Council whereby Govind Park was only used for football. I ask the Minister for Sports Jese Saukuru to make sure that rugby is also catered for once Govind Park reopens. In the meantime, even before the pool games have been concluded, the Men in Black football team has already been bundled out of the BOG tournament. The warning bell has sounded and will see more players joining Ba Rugby Union to play top level rugby locally and beyond. I only hope that Ba FA which created so much history with their home grown players do not have to rely on imports in the future. The BOG tournament saw cards galore with many questionable decisions by match officials. I keep on saying that Fiji FA mainly focuses on domestic tournaments to boost their coffers. No back-up power supply in partnership with the big municipal councils for standby generators with Nadi Town Council having $3.5 million in fixed deposit. Govind Park used to have back-up generators for all tournaments whereby change over was manual and it took 15-20 minutes to have the floodlights switched on, thus no room for games to be postponed. Finally, I urge Fiji FA president Rajesh Patel to hire the self-proclaimed top Sydney football referee Jan Nissar to conduct a refresher course for our local referees. All expenses including airfares, accommodation, local transport, food and more from my side upon sighting his referee credentials. Take me on “Gaaps” Grog Dopey. Raymond Singh Golf Links, Lautoka
Go the Flying Fijians
Fiji v France will be a cracker, Simon please field a team and work on combinations and how they gel and stick to it. Don’t fully change the whole team for the final tour game before the game against Wales. We are behind you. Go the Flying Fijians. If Fiji beats France we can be ranked 7 or 8 after a win this weekend. But anyway congrats to be in the top 9, displacing Wales. Vineel Nand Perth, Australia
Salary system
Jagen Prasad not only justifies and rationalises the exorbitant salary of the FCCC chief executive officer but castigates the reporter for not doing the relevant research which would have revealed that it is the norm for corporate top dogs in Fiji and other countries to receive such salaries (FT 14/8). He gives us an insight into his own ideological leaning. Jagen is a worshipper at the altar of unbridled capitalism. Look at the unequal and divided societies that kind of unfettered capitalism has produced all round the world. It is for that reason that Pope Francis had described unbridled capitalism as ” the dung of the devil” ( Reuters. 10/7/2015 ). It’s not hard to see why. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Children in cars
Many people have reacted to the police report on: “Children in cars and parents in bars”. The Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection and co-ordinator of the Women’s Crisis Centre have also expressed their deep concerns. No amount of pontification can improve the situation unless the parents themselves are willing to face the reality and are willing to change. We all are victims of globalisation trends. Dewan Chand Namadi Heights, Suva
Reading problem
I express my gratitude to Education Ministry permanent secretary Selina Kuruleca for identifying the “significant” reading problem as a notion for a review of Fiji’s education system. Reading has become a habit which is declining in the younger generation because of the impact of technology and media. Instead of seeing children with comics and story books during our days, today’s generation is moving around with tablets and mobile phones. Reading has been replaced by watching cartoons, movies, and action-packed thrillers. It’s surprising to see students enter secondary schools as non-readers. If we want to lift our education standards, a lot more focus must be placed on reading. Get back to the old ways of encouraging students to read — reading for fun. Let students enjoy reading. School libraries must be resourced with interesting story books and library classes must be utilised. At home, parents and guardians must ensure children spend valuable time reading for it builds knowledge and expands the thinking power of a child. Intervention programs in primary schools will assist stakeholders a lot. Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Overseas work
Shocking to read Reverend Ili Vunisuwai’s call for Fijians not to go and work offshore in Australia and New Zealand or is he a big successful businessman that can employ them all with better perks and pay? This is a free world and if God approves of that, who are we to stop it as those Fijians will help the country and their families through better Australian dollars they are paid including our GDP and through remittance to boost our economy. I find it irresponsible as I believe he is enjoying his Methodist Church president nice pay while other Fijians are struggling. He should resign and take up politics. Tukai Lagonilakeba Nadi
Men’s mental health
To all good man out there! Do you realise that we men are among the high number of both rape perpetrators and gender-based violence abusers in the world ranking when we consider our small population. This is captured in the Fiji Police Report 2022. Lately, I just heard from a CEO on Lifeline Fiji that of a total of 52 suicide victims this year from January to June, 41 were men. Now something is wrong in our system where our medical practitioners including academic researchers are not picking it up? Every human needs to talk to someone to ease and address mental health. Masculinity ideology will not save us as it’s okay for men and boys to cry and share your mental health issues with professional helpers! No way, mental health should not be used as an excuse to cause GBV on your loved ones. JIOJI M CAKACAKA Carreras, Votualevu, Nadi
Non-readers
As pointed out by Education permanent secretary Selina Kuruleca, the issue of non-readers in primary and secondary schools is a major challenge that needs to be addressed. One major aspect that could be a big contributing factor to the problem of non-readers is the use of mobile phones. Children’s early years are crucial for language and cognitive development and reading plays a fundamental role in nurturing these skills. Excessive mobile phone usage among toddlers and young children can potentially hinder their exposure to traditional reading materials, such as physical books. The captivating nature of mobile apps and games often leads to prolonged screen time, diverting children’s attention away from the immersive world of storytelling that books provide. When kids get used to watching screens, they might find it hard to enjoy stories in books. This change in how they pay attention could make them less interested in reading and more interested in getting satisfaction from things on screens. To help reduce the possible bad effects of using mobile phones on young kids’ ability to read well, parents and caregivers should make sure kids use mobile phones for a limited time and under their watch. They should try to use apps and digital books that help kids learn and understand language. However, it’s also very important to include regular books in a child’s daily routine. This helps kids feel the book, turn its pages, and connect with the written words. To solve the problem of kids who can’t read well, everyone needs to work together. This includes teachers, parents, people in the community and leaders who make rules. If we start helping early, get everyone involved and create a love for reading, we can really help kids learn to read better and do well in their studies. SANJEET PRASAD Mani Rd, Bulileka, Labasa
Back-up plan
Have a backup plan. Group A semifinalists have been already confirmed even though one game in the group is yet to be played. The result of the postponed match between hosts Nadi and Tailevu Naitasiri is meaningless as far as the semifinals are concerned. However, the same cannot be true for the other group which is still wide open. Only after the outcome of the Labasa/Ba match could the semifinalists from Group B be determined. Depending on the result of this game will it be known whether Labasa is through, or it is Suva and Rewa? We have to wait until the pending match has been played on September 15. It is to be noted that this all happens due to a blackout as a result of EFL power failure. The organisers are also to be blamed for not having a backup plan. But Fiji FA is a boss unto itself. Let’s hope such a scenario is not repeated in the future. Suresh Chand Nadi
Soccer change
The Government should intervene by sacking all the officials and demanding an investigation by FIFA. FIFA may then suspend Fiji FA. This can lead to an election thus allowing an effective and efficient team who has soccer at heart. Now is the opportunity. Alternatively all current Fiji FA officials should resign with immediate effect. Asish Vinay Prasad Park Rd, Raiwasa, Suva
Women’s soccer
The Women’s World Cup Soccer has been an eye opener for many millions across the globe. The skills and quality of the participants speaks volumes about where the standards have reached on the international stage. Some of the goals scored have been magical and some of the saves have been equally amazing. It’s been a showcase of exceptional talent which has brought such tremendous joy. And even in a place like Australia, where soccer is seen as one of the many sports, the Matildas have given Aussies something to crow about. And seeing the many thousands of people rooting for our national team has been quite astounding. Like Fijians, we’re a sports crazy country but soccer has brought the nation to its feet. One day in the near future I hope a Fijian soccer side can do what the Matildas have done for soccer in Australia. Win or lose, the Matildas have created history by being in the semifinals for the first time. They have the will to go all the way. And the entire nation is right behind them. COLIN DEOKI Australia
Diabetes
The Fiji Times report “Diabetes a major health problem” reinforced by the editorial (FT14/8) continues to educate us to take care of ourselves and advocate prevention of this ever rising risk. Let’s take the most updated advice from professionals as world renowned diabetologist Dr Gowni Ilamurugan and follow up to fight it out with diet, exercise and medication. Healthy eating, physical activities with medical care are the best way for the prevention of NCDs. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Fiji soccer
Can we temporarily forget the ugliness of Fiji men’s soccer (ranked at 169) and focus on the Women’s World Cup where women are making the beautiful game so much more beautiful with the soccer they are displaying. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Dead horse
The Lautoka Chamber of Commerce is like a dead horse, no statement on VAT increases and what impact the VAT increases did to the business community, including the people. Can someone speak up? Committee members, president or any vice president? Geoffrey Chand Lautoka
Unions back
I believe the Fiji Airways and ATS termination was “Fiji First” government’s union busting attempt. It failed and the two unions and their members are back at work. Dan Urai Lautoka
CEO salaries
Comparing our CEO salaries (FT 15/8) to countries who’s GDP is in the hundreds of billions and trillions is daft indeed. Steven Chandra Suva
Island of Beqa
Congratulations to Fiji Airway’s for their A350 bird called Island of Beqa. It’s a historical moment and a great boost towards tourism in Fiji. Vinaka Fiji Airways and all its staff. Vineel Nand Perth, Australia
Medical service
When health centres and nursing stations are closing due to mass exodus of nurses out of government health service, how is the Ministry of Health able to achieve universal health coverage? Take for example a rural health centre closes due to lack of manpower, the public private partnership cannot bridge the gap as most of these private sector practitioners or private health facilities are in urban areas or town and cities. I believe they are measuring the coverage by how many people per medical personnel but what about the distance? I believe the bus fare subsidy has been removed which means accessing of this crucial public service takes longer and is expensive with the PPP initiative in the towns and cities. Meli Matanatoto Nadi
