Consistency rewarded
Kudos to head coach Osea Kolinisau and the national 7s team for the consistent efforts on the 2025/26 circuit. Two bronze medals, one gold medal, a spot in the Perth 7s final and the lead on the overall points table show the dedication, commitment, character and fighting spirit of the team. The standard is high. Our defence has tremendously improved although those missed tackles continue to haunt the team. Finally, the national 7s side has been nicknamed the ‘Kings of comebacks’. The boys deserve the name, but trust me, they can give fans heart attack with those brilliant comebacks. Nacani Boginisoko has become a revelation. Viwa Naduvalo is on his way to reach 100 tries. Sevu Mocenacagi is like that bottle of wine that gets stronger with age, while Terio Veilawa is slowly becoming the new Jerry Tuwai. Iowane Teba, Manueli Maisamoa, Jo Talacolo and the likes are becoming household names. Toso Viti! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
True service
I wish to extend my sincere gratitude and appreciation to the directors of the Grace Road Group in Fiji for their outstanding services provided through Truemart service stations, Grace Road Kitchens, and supermarkets across Viti Levu. Last weekend, my family and I travelled to Suva to drop my nephew at the FNU hostel on Brown Street. Our journey to and from Suva was made notably comfortable and convenient due to the availability of Grace Road businesses along the Queens Highway. The ease with which we were able to refuel, refresh ourselves, and continue our journey contributed greatly to a pleasant travel experience. Special commendation is extended to the dedicated staff of Truemart Veisari, Sabeto, and Vitogo for their professionalism and courteous service. Gam-sa-ham-ni-fa! Vinaka Truemart for the excellent service. Businesses such as these do not merely provide convenience; they set a benchmark for service excellence and reliability for travellers across Fiji. DINESH KUMAR Ba
Honest and faithful
Do we still have honest and faithful people we can vote into government in the upcoming election? I am fed up with the current government ministers whom we voted in for a change but yet continue from where they took over. The only change I saw from the previous government is the people and tactics but corruption and the level of nepotism is still the same. I bet if they go back to opposition they will continue from where the current opposition left off by barking and throwing mud everywhere left right and centre. Did the Minister for Works ever visit the site at Navolau, Rakiraki where the contractors are raking millions in that small portion of the road since 2020? And how about the Minister of Sports saying that he will repay whatever was used in paying his wife’s airfare overseas? Wasn’t he aware all along? Phew! Pita Soroaqali Tavua
Legal minds
With so many “prominent lawyers” and world class legal minds with which Fiji is blessed, I believe we should start exporting some of these legal minds. And I do not mean that they should be exported to countries such as Tuvalu, Cook Islands, Palau, Kiribati and Solomons Islands etc. I mean they should be exported to developed countries. Even to countries in the Middle East. That way Fiji and Fijians can breathe because right now there appears to be just too many world class legal minds concentrated in a small place like Suva where there is a “traffic jam” of highly qualified and just the best legal minds hindering not just the running of the country but the whole system. I believe everyday Fijians are affected. What is more, I believe these are all unelected people affecting the lives of every day Fijians. We need to clear up the “traffic jam”. We all know how frustrating it is in a traffic jam when we cannot “move forward” — if you know what I mean? Just like the PALM workers are flying the Fijian flag, our world class legal minds can fly the Fijian flag overseas as well. Jan Nissar Sydney, Australia
Islamic state attack
Refer to World News (The Sunday Times 8/02) in which a suicide bomber killed 31 people in a Shi’ite Muslim Mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack. Hillary Clinton as US Secretary of State on a visit to Pakistan had said: “If you keep snakes in your backyard, one day it will bite you”. This comes as no surprise as Pakistan has been playing a double game with Afghanistan, Iran (Iran protests) and USA recently. Unfortunately, it is the Shi’ite Muslims who are the victims here. The Shi’ite Muslims, like the Hindus, Christians and Ahmedia Muslims are a minority group. Hindus, Christians and Ahmedia Muslims religions are not recognised in Pakistan. Time and again their temples, churches and mosques come under attack and in many cases they are demolished (Google for more information and pictures). Rakesh Chand Sharma Nadi
QUICK VIEWS
Parking space
It’s a nightmare to find parking space in almost all our towns. Saturdays are the worst. It may assist if all town councils introduce laws limiting parking to one or two hours at a time. Dan Urai Lautoka
Tough going!
The Fijiana 7s is now in a similar situation as Fiji soccer. Seems to be going backwards and heading into the abyss. Sobo! Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
India trade
One small question for Rakesh Chand Sharma (ST 8/2). With all the military backing of NATO and the US, the world’s mightiest military, are the people of Ukraine safe? “As a pacifist, unlike Rakesh Chand Sharma, I am not impressed and excited by the military might projected by any nation”. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
In plain sight
Is it just me or is there a general feeling in the country that a lot of unelected and rejected people are running the show? I believe that obviously means the Prime Minister and his government have not only lost the plot but have lost control of the machinery of government. It may be that people at close quarters in Fiji cannot see what is in plain sight that I can see all the way from here in Sydney. The question is, how has this been allowed to happen? Jan Nissar Sydney, Australia
Traffic congestion
Maybe time for the Ministry of Education to review time for schools to start. Dan Urai Lautoka
Water woes
During good weather, during not so good weather, during cyclones, during dry spells, during wet spells, our taps all the time run dry. The water cart is on the road 24/7 and 365 days every year. Is this beyond WAF? Terrible amount of money wasted every year. What’s more worrying is we as a nation have not improved this. We haven’t in the last 50 years. I don’t think we will either in the next 50. As one famous outdated CEO once said, buy a generator every one, because EFL is in the very same boat as WAF. It’s time to buy a water tank or two each now. As I said, this nightmare is here to stay. It’s for real. A. Shariff Shah Savusavu
CHILDREN AND SOCCER
Soccer challenges
I wish to express my deep concern regarding the decision-making by match officials during the Fiji Football Association Champion versus Champion first-leg match between Rewa and Labasa, which kicked off yesterday at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori. Since Saturday, the Nausori area has experienced continuous heavy rainfall, leaving Ratu Cakobau Park waterlogged well before match day. Rain persisted again yesterday, and after 45 minutes of the first half, a heavy downpour forced the match to be halted. At halftime, officials were faced with a critical decision on whether conditions were safe and suitable to resume play. Unfortunately, after consultations with relevant parties, the decision was made to restart the match for the second half despite the ground remaining severely waterlogged. This decision raises serious questions about the level of consideration given to the welfare and safety of the teams, players, match officials, and the many spectators who braved the harsh weather conditions. Football is a physical sport, and playing on a waterlogged pitch significantly increases the risk of injury to players. Poor footing, hidden hazards beneath pooled water, and reduced ball control not only compromise the quality of the game but endanger player health. Additionally, spectators who remained at the venue were exposed to ongoing heavy rain with limited protection, further highlighting the lack of concern for public welfare. Such decisions create the impression that completing the fixture was prioritised over safety and common sense. Match officials and governing bodies have a responsibility to protect all stakeholders involved in the game, especially when weather conditions clearly pose a risk. I strongly believe that clearer protocols and firmer judgment must be applied in future matches to prevent a repeat of this situation. Player safety and spectator welfare should never be compromised under any circumstances. Indar Deo Bisun Sakoca Heights, Tamavua
Children and punishment
Children are a gift from God and children are our hope. Therefore, punishments that destroy children’s self-esteem are those that humiliate, frighten, or physically harm them: such as physical punishment, verbal shaming, harsh criticisms, and emotional neglect. These punishments destroy a child’s sense of worth and leads to long term mental struggle. Therefore, spanking, hitting, slapping or other forms of corporal punishment creates fear rather than respect, increases aggression and lowers self-worth. Children often internalise the idea that they are “bad” rather than that their behaviour was wrong. Such children suffer from long term depression and have difficulty forming long term relationships. Some parents and teachers use verbal shaming or harsh criticisms calling a child “lazy”, “stupid’, ” worthless” etc. This directly affects the identity of a child instead of the behaviour. This damages the self-image and leads to avoidance of challenges due to fear of failure! Public humiliation is another form of punishment when children are scolded in front of peers, siblings or strangers. This leads to embarrassment, social anxiety which can cause resentment or lead to withdrawal. It may cause long term distrust of authority figures and poor social confidence. Emotional neglect or withdrawal of love by silent treatment of children or saying: “I don’t love you”. Such comments make children feel unworthy of affection and can lead to insecurity and chronic low self-esteem. Unpredictable and excessive punishment for minor mistakes creates confusion in the minds of children. Thus undermining a child’s sense of stability. This leads to high levels of stress, difficulty with self-regulation or mistrust of authority. Positive discipline strategies should be adopted such as clear boundaries and consistent rules. Parents and teachers need to use motivational language while dealing with children. Encourage responsibility as it builds confidence. Parents must spend quality time with their children: looking at their home-work, discussing behavior, family meetings, allowing children to talk, praying with them, teaching them basic social etiquettes. Going to religious functions on a regular basis has a great positive impact on the minds of children. Help children learn accountability without feeling worthless. My 30 years experience as a teacher has taught me that encouragement and motivational talks work like magic! My former students with success stories still keep in touch with me. There is no pleasure beyond this! Dewan Chand Namadi Heights, Suva
