15s rugby
As we entered the half time break between Fiji and Australia, I can proudly say 15s is now the number one sport in Fiji.
Sevens is second.
No more are a Tier 2 nation.
No longer should we play Samoa, Tonga, Portugal and Georgia.
We should play only the top four.
People might say the Drua laid the platform, but I believe the foundation was relooked at immediately the time we did not qualify for one of the world cups.
We always gave top teams a scare in the first half and faded out after an hour, but now it’s about 80 minutes and beyond.
Vinaka FRU and all those involved.
Irrespective of the result, we are all so so proud.
Toso Viti toso.
A. SHARIFF SHAH, Savusavu
My question
Seeing a picture of Dr Biman one of three deputy prime ministers discussing the proposed electricity tariff increase with members of the Labasa Chamber of Commerce, I would just like to know if most of these proposals had come out of the economic summit?
What is the sense in being in Government if you keep on making the people suffer?
Sukha Singh, Labasa
Mickey Mouse game
I got only one message for Jan Nissar.
Enjoy the above for the next four years or even beyond in your new country.
For us here, we shall enjoy both.
Now we can proudly say that 15s is our number one game and 7s is second.
Your most refereed game of soccer in our country now is referred rightfully to your “Mickey Mouse game” administered by Popeye, Donald Duck, Tom and Jerry.
You should now turn your 5c advice to the new “Mickey Mouse” game of soccer in Fiji.
If I become the sports minister for a day, my first call of duty will be to ban soccer in our country.
Never to be played again.
Actually it’s an insult to even mention soccer in the same breath as rugby.
Such a shame!
A SHARIFF SHAH, Savusavu
Shocking state
It is shocking that RHD affects one in 50 children in Fiji (as advised by the permanent secretary of Health).
This will be a significant financial cost for Fiji and heartache and suffering for parents and children.
Surely, research must be carried out to ascertain reasons for the high level.
Government should provide some funding to our universities and our medical providers to carry out this research.
Christopher Jackson Mar, Qanville Estate, Nasoso, Nadi
Maestro recalls 1999 games!
Waisale Serevi is a 7s legend.
His name is taken in rugby circles with respect and honour.
His presence in France is a huge motivation for members of the FIJI Water Flying Fijians.
Serevi, who was part of the late Brad Johnstone coached Fiji team at the 1999 RWC 15s tournament, has witnessed a dawn of a new era of Flying Fijians doing wonders at the RWC tournament.
The ’99 team, which had the likes of Greg Smith, the late Isaia Rasila, Jo Veiteyaki, Emori Katalau, current coach Simon Raiwalui, Ifereimi Tawake, Ilivasi Tabua, who coached Fiji to the ’07 RWC, Setareki Tawake, Koli Sewabu, Alivereti Doviverata, Inoke Male, Jacob and Mosese Rauluni, Nicky Little, Vili Satala, Fero Lasagavibau, Waisake Sotutu, Marika Vunibaka, Manasa Bari and Alfred Uluinayau, thrashed Namibia 67-18, beat Canada 38-22, but was unlucky to lose to France 28-19 because of some dubious and controversial calls made by Paddy O’Brien.
Fiji lost to England 45-24 in the play-off stage.
That team had the guts and determination to reach the quarters, but poor officiating cost us.
Serevi is optimistic of a good result, just like many at home.
Serevi concluded with a power-packed message (FT 29/09), “We now know how to win big games and we have a very good kicker to kick for goal. We can compete and win. I believe the boys have the confidence. We’ve made a very strong statement that we can compete and play against Tier One teams.”
Vinaka vakalevu Serevi!
Thank you, Rodney Duthie, for spicing things up with the wonderful stories and the diary from France!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
Mentoring programs
While I agree with Dr Sewabu’s for more men’s mentoring programs as a solution to reduce violence against women and children in FT 28/09/23 (Pg 3), my only concern is to engage real professionals in this line of work and not any Tom, Dick and Harry!
The current FWCC male advocates on women’s human rights program is a classic example of these professional providers I’m talking about and not the church nor the vanua institutions but they come in as partners in this fight!
No need to reinvent the wheel because this program has been used at regional level since early 2000 until now but needs to be further strengthened and localised!
In 2011, FWCC released a National GBV Survey Report on Intimate Partner Violence which was 64 per cent (double the global average) and the recent violence against children survey of 81 per cent is not a stand-alone but rather an extension of 2011 FWCC national survey!
I hope we Fijians, especially men can stand together to do something about it rather than look alarmed and concerned when reports are released!
Jioji M Cakacaka, Carreras- Votualevu, Nadi
Savusavu Hospital
Yesterday I needed Savusavu Hospital the most.
My 76-year-old father had fish poisoning.
To my disbelief, no doctor bothered to visit him from 6.30am to 7.45am.
I had to look for a wheelchair to put him on.
And when on it I couldn’t push it to the emergency ward.
The wheels were all jammed.
I had to carry him.
It took 15 minutes for the ward attendant to attend to him.
Then my father wanted to visit the toilet.
I had to carry him again as the wheelchair wouldn’t go in either direction because the openings of the toilet were less than the width of the wheel chair.
He just didn’t want to attend to his needs as the toilet floor was flooded with leaking cistern.
There was no toilet paper.
Vanity was hanging off the walls even after a recent renovation work to the hospital with major contributions from concerned Savusavu citizens including me.
I brought him back to the emergency ward and waited.
Still no doctor as he was doing his morning shift in the wards.
At 7.45am, I had enough and lifted him up and drove him to Zen’s Medical.
To my surprise seven staff members rushed to my dad to help.
Even the doctor was there to attend.
All of a sudden I felt invited.
I felt more comfortable.
I felt at ease.
He was in a comfort zone.
He was in the right hands.
He smiled at me and said “now I am in a better place. Now I know I will make it through and go back home”.
Home he is now!
He said to me: “Once we go to the hospital, we want to get cured and come back home.”
He said he is now afraid to go to Savusavu Hospital as he might never come back home.
He came across so many friends that had the same story.
Thanks to Zen’s Medical and its staff.
Awesome service.
A big no thanks at all to Savusavu Hospital, its staff and the doctor on call.
Now I know what the public health system in Fiji is all about.
I feel so sorry for the poor and disadvantaged.
Health is wealth.
We don’t mind spending.
We have vehicles.
Not all others have.
People walk up to these hospitals.
Please do attend to them.
Once a 70 year-old doctor friend told me when I visited him in his surgery that he hated the profession.
He said he used to have so much pride in serving the people.
He did not even accept payments from some of his poor patients.
After some time he felt that he needed the patients more than ever before to increase his bank balance.
So he gave up and retired.
It’s very true that people before used to eat food as medicine.
Now we eat medicine as food.
The public health system in Fiji is a shame.
No wonder the former Attorney-General went to Singapore to get treated.
He knows too well what’s on offer here and why, and who is responsible.
A SHARIFF SHAH, Savusavu
