A big difference
The grand finale of the Oceania Championship and Olympics qualification was a whitewash. It’s a wake up call for FFA officials to step down and make way for youngsters. Who in the world loses 0-9 in a final? The overseas-based players made a lot of difference for our team, which FFA claims to be part of their development, which is wrong. Pay credit where it is due. Also, a humble request for district officials to name the team instead of the coach who is not given the opportunity to select the right set of players. When the team loses, they blame the coach. I am ready to challenge FFA and take them to task for putting in place rules that benefit themselves and punishes anyone who speaks out against the administration. The difference is clear. It’s time for the officials to step down. It’s so shameful. VINEEL NAND Nadi
Fiji at the OFC
THE match commentator summed it succinctly when he said “It’s not happening at all for the Fijian side”. It wasn’t. Everything that could go wrong, did. It was very painful to watch Fiji struggle to contain a superb New Zealand side. Fiji just did not have the requisite skills both individual and team. Even the basic principles of play — the tactical capacity — were lacking. Fiji soccer is not in a good place. Things need to change. Fiji soccer fans deserve better. RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, NSW, Australia
Soccer development
FIJI Under 23 soccer team lost nine (9) goals to nil (0) in the final. As usual the coach and Fiji Football Association will say another lesson learned at international tournaments. Was it worth bringing a overseas coach and losing by nine goals? Learn from our rugby boys, our local coach helped the team beat England. As the team comes back, FFA will be busy organising bazaar tournaments to make the millions in profit but are not worried about the development of soccer in Fiji. GEOFFREY CHAND Lautoka
Officials must go
THERE is no effective structure or genuine desire to improve soccer in Fiji. Extrinsic motivation has become the norm unlike in the good old days. The current Fiji FA officials must go. It is that simple. There is tremendous talent in Fiji, but not identified. The organisation is in the press for the wrong reasons with the recent rubbish disposal incident, drug case, and now the unreal scoreline. There is no indication of improvement and the standard is spiralling out of control. If the current executives have soccer at heart, they must resign and allow new young professional executives to administer soccer. During the late JD Maharaj and Dr Sahu Khan’s era, Fiji soccer was administered with soccer at heart which produced brilliant results. Fiji soccer is finished. When England rugby was down many years ago, a player commented that England rugby was managed by “old farts”. After a massive restructuring, they won the Rugby World Cup. Why? They listened to the people. ASISH VINAY PRASAD, Park Rd, Raiwasa
Welcome to term 3
DEAR teachers and students of Fiji, as we embark on another exciting academic term, I extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to each one of you. The journey of education is a remarkable one, filled with opportunities for growth, discovery, and achievement. Together, as a dedicated community of learners and educators, we embrace the promise of this third term with enthusiasm and determination. As we gather in classrooms, libraries, and halls, let us remember that knowledge knows no boundaries, and with each lesson learned, we come one step closer to shaping a brighter future. So, let this term be one of collaboration, curiosity, and excellence. Term three is also our assessment term where the major internal and external examinations will be conducted. May it be a time of deep learning, where teachers guide with wisdom and students thrive with curiosity. Welcome, once again, to this remarkable journey of knowledge and growth in the beautiful heart of Fiji. Together, we will make this academic term a memorable and transformative experience for all. Wishing all the best to the teachers for their student free day (SFD) today and the students who would resume lessons from tomorrow. DINESH KUMAR Ba
Best of luck
TERM three begins today, marking the final chapter of the 2023 academic year. We wish all students and teachers the very best of luck. For many students, this means entering study mode and facing restless nights. Remember to work hard and give your best effort. May God’s blessings be with you always. RODNEY CLARENCE RAJ Naleba, Labasa
Flying Fijians and the Dragons Memories
of that 38-34 2007 Rugby World Cup come to the fore as the Fiji Water Flying Fijians take on the Welsh Dragons in their opening match. Since the ’07 win, Fiji has failed to beat Wales in our three previous RWC meetings. In 2011, the Dragons thrashed Fiji 66-0 and in 2015 and 2019, the Dragons edged Fiji 23-13 and 29-17, respectively. The last time the two sides met was in 2021, and the hosts beat Fiji 38-23. Head coach Simon Raiwalui has named an explosive side, minus rising sensation Caleb Muntz, but Teti Tela is equally good although he has big boots to fill. Fiji will come to a standstill as patriotic fans will be draped in the Fijian colours, cheering their hearts out for our warriors who have gone into the RWC with the best ranking of seventh, above our pool opponents Australia and Wales. This team has the guts and armory to conquer the Dragons. Our boys need to remain humble, play their cards right, stick to the game plan, make every tackle count, play as a solid unit, maintain their discipline and avoid playing into the Welsh game plan. RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Balgovind Rd, Nadawa Nasinu
Sugar Festival
DESPITE my earlier plea (via this medium) to the organising committee to source a secure and a safer venue, the much-anticipated Sugar Festival will still proceed at the not so appealing Lautoka Club grounds — a location which is synonymous with high criminal activity, troublesome drunks, glue sniffers and drug use. Poor and ill-advised judgment by the organisers indeed. NISHANT SINGH Lautoka
Back on the job
The former Bureau of Statistics chief executive officer has been reinstated as the head of the organissation. This has to be wonderful news. The history pages have the earlier details. At that time, many reputable individuals and organisations (including international) had called out the former government for explanations. On that note, shouldn’t the same be expected for the former Solicitor-General and others who have been dished out with similar treatments? Since we are going back in history and correcting previous mistakes (or whatever the correct word is), shouldn’t have the 1987, 2000 and 2006 governments be reinstated? No one asks these types of hard questions nowadays. Not even the journalists. In my view, despite the repealing of relevant decrees, journalists in Fiji have become accustomed to lamu lamu journalism. MOHAMMED IMRAZ JANIF Natabua, Lautoka
Wake-up call for Fiji
THE 0-9 hiding that the Digicel Junior Bula Boys received at the hands of the Junior All Whites will be talked about in years to come. The hiding is a wake-up call but as usual the result is going to fall on deaf ears. Darren Bazeley’s All Whites will represent Oceania at the 2024 Paris Olympics after a comprehensive win over Fiji in the OFC Men’s Olympic Qualifier final at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland. Two goals in the first six minutes set the tone as the hosts dominated play and outclassed Fiji who struggled to match NZ’s composure, match fitness and tactics. Three more goals in the first half settled things, but the whipping continued as the hosts scored four more goals in the second half. Goals from Riley Bidois (five), Jesse Randall, Liam Gillion and Keegan Kelly and an own goal by Inoke Turagalailai ensured NZ represents the Oceania in the U-23 Olympics. As usual, we will hear the words “back to the drawing board” and a whole lot of excuses for the dismal outing. But then who cares, the Battle of Giants tournament, which is scheduled for this weekend at the HFC Bank Stadium, supersedes the 0-9 thrashing that the boys received! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Balgovind Rd, Nadawa, Nasinu
Expired goods
IT is not surprising to know of those four supermarkets in the greater Suva area caught selling expired food items. Some other outlets have been doing the same but just not coming to the attention of authorities. I am glad this was rectified and brought to the attention of the general public. Thank you Consumer Council of Fiji for the surprise visits to these outlets. Please carry on to other retail outlets to help curb this disease of selling expired things especially food items. This is a lowly act and service provided by greedy shop owners who have no regard for customers and only want to get rid of their excess material at any cost. I believe these kinds of outlets should be named and shamed. It’s high time we stop the risk posed to the general public, some of whom are sensitive to certain food items and other skin related stuffs. There should be some incentives provided to those who raise such issues with the authorities. Say no to expired items. KIRTI PATEL Mohan Singh Pl, Lautoka
Woeful result
I HEAR there is a lot of noise on social media and by now, I’ll have to be upgraded from sounding like a broken record to that of an ass. A donkey which continuously goes hee-haw regarding the state of Fiji soccer. A 9-nil scoreline last Saturday is definitely a woeful result. In a sports mad nation, we shall be crazy if the latest outing doesn’t set off any siren at the HQ. MOHAMMED IMRAZ JANIF Natabua, Lautoka
Slow service
IS the ANZ Bank (Lautoka branch) going through some sort of staff shortage predicament? For the past few months, there are no more than two to three tellers serving at any given time and day, hence the annoyingly snail-paced service rendered to irked customers. NISHANT SINGH Lautoka
Network
I BELIEVE it is time to amalgamate all neighbourhood organisations in Suva to establish a Neighbourhood Suva. Call or message me on 9565242 to get the ball rolling. ASISH VINAY PRASAD Park Rd, RAIWASA
The hub
FIJI being the hub of the Pacific, it is riddled with many abnormality from manufacturing and exporting illicit drugs, highest in non communicable diseases, two-time sevens Olympic gold medallist, rated 2nd in the Asia-Pacific with the fastest growing HIV infection rates and more. Is this Fiji, the way the world should be? AREKI DAWAI Samabula, Suva
Constitution Day
MANY thanks for my letter on a questionable Constitution Day (ST 10/9) given the manner of its making by the post-coup dictatorship. It is bold journalism on your part to publish such a critical letter on the 2013 Constitution because the powerful and influential figures backing it are still very much a part of Fiji’s current political landscape. But you demonstrate true commitment to giving space to different voices. RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, NSW, Australia
Space mission
AS an addendum to Dinesh Kumar’s letter (FT 09/09) titled “India’s space mission”, it is interesting that an eight-member ISRO team is currently in Fiji for a few weeks to conduct research in relation to ISRO’s Aditya-LI mission to study the sun as well as to establish a Temporary Telemetry Command Centre. Fiji was one of the places chosen, based on the transitory flight of the spacecraft. EDWARD BLAKELOCK Pacific Harbour
