Most successful team
What is wrong with these people criticising and some even swearing at our Fiji Airways Fiji 7s players for the one point loss in Singapore on social media. Fiji is the most successful team on this leg of the series. They won five in a row at Hong Kong, setting a record very difficult for any team on the planet to achieve and losing by a single point to South Africa in Singapore. South Africa has never won a Hong Kong Sevens title in their whole sevens career and stands very little chance of catching up with Fiji in the next two remaining tournaments. We have Nacuqu fracturing a collar bone, Tuwai pulling a hamstring and Nasoko still recovering from a knee injury. These boys have toiled, sweated and bled for Fiji while we just cheer and pass comments from the comfort of our living rooms. Let us keep supporting our team and stop throwing around stupid and arrogant comments that will only do more harm than good to our rugby. Congratulations to our sevens team, management and each of their families who work tirelessly behind the scene and giving most needed personal comfort to our heroes. The whole of Fiji is with you. Vinaka vaka levu na vosota. Timoci Gaunavinaka Waila, Nausori
Unspoken success
I congratulate the current and former police officers who were honoured and presented with medals yesterday. I agree with the PM that “the untold stories of the Fiji Police Force’s unspoken successes are not highlighted”. One major aspect of police successes that is not well known is the high rate of crime detection in Fiji. I understand that this particular aspect puts our police force on par with or even better than the police forces of Australia and New Zealand. For this, I congratulate the Fiji Police Force as a whole. In particular I congratulate former Deputy Commissioner of Police, 75-year-old, Jimi Koroi. He is one of the medal recipients. I recall being told by Mr Koroi that he was responsible for the investigation of and subsequent prosecution of the first fisheries law violation case under the relatively new Marine Spaces Act 1977. This was a new frontier in law enforcement. Our new law provided for our exclusive economic zone and our sovereign rights under this new law — a creature of the UN Conference for the Law of the Sea which later brought into being the constitution of the oceans — the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. When I had to advise the Fiji Navy on their arrest of the Katamara in the early ’90s, I had to refer to Mr Koroi’s guidance on the relevant ingredients of the section of the law that created the offence. I still cherish such valuable guidance from a veteran investigator and prosecutor who hails from Nawaikama, Gau — Jimi Koroi, the legend! Once again — congratulations to the Fiji Police Force. Kiniviliame Keteca Nausori
Golden age
I would like to congratulate our Attorney-General, Hon Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, for chairing the first meeting of the 2019 Joint Committee on Remuneration of the Bank and the Fund at the World Bank offices in Washington DC. The fact that a small country like Fiji is in such a position with organisations such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank at such prestigious international events really shows just how far we have come under this government. Fiji no longer sits at the back waiting for others but takes a proactive lead. We are truly entering the golden age. I am very proud vinaka. Kaushal Kumar Nadawa, Nasinu
Fallen lines
Energy Fiji Limited (EFL) wishes to confirm that the picture featured in the Eye Witness section of The Fiji Times (Monday, April 15, 2019) showing fallen lines are not EFL lines. EFL requests members of the public that in the event you notice a broken or low sagging EFL powerlines, to please urgently contact EFL on our emergency number 913. Digicel, Inkk and Vodafone users can call on 5333. Your prompt call could result in someone’s life being saved. It is advisable to stay away from EFL powerlines at all times. The EFL personnel at the EFL National Control Centre have the ability to switch off the power supply within seconds if they are informed of any hazardous or low lying powerlines. Hasmukh Patel CEO, Energy Fiji Limited
Access to water
I believe there is a push for 100 per cent of Fiji to have access to electricity. When the two major utilities are compared, I think access to water takes priority. I have heard that communities which did not have access to clean drinking water are getting assistance from the Government. While 96 per cent of Fiji has access to electricity, what percentage of Fiji has access to clean drinking water? Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
I will be prepared
We have two more legs in the 7s series. London and Paris. Of course I will be prepared — culturally that is (if you get my drift). New instruments have to be bought. I must confess they have had enough of expletives that I often utter when a ball is spilled or the ref makes a bad decision. I shall put them out to pasture or retire them. The bowl has teeth marks from the pressure I put on it when drinking, the cloth is torn from being squeezed too hard and the basin is lopsided. So heading into the last two legs, I will be prepared. I think I may also need a defibrillator for the last two legs, anyone got a spare? Allen Lockington Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka
Singapore loss hurts
I’m still reeling from the shocking loss at the hands of South Africa. Our boys looked impressive and butchered NZ and England and the flamboyant Fijians looked set to defend the Singapore 7s title and lay their hands on the WRSS overall title. Heading to Singapore Fiji trailed the USA by seven points and because the Eagles finished fourth we would have gone first had we won on Sunday night. It was Palm Sunday so we had the belief that Fiji would win. Hindus had finished celebrating Ram Navami and many thought the blessing was on just like the previous week. Furthermore, whenever the ball carrier was lifted by our boys prior to the final we had never lost. Finally, Fiji had never lost a final against South Africa since the 2017 Wellington 7s final loss. Hence, Fiji was favoured to win. On the other hand, history was against us. We had never won back-to-back cup finals in consecutive weekends and the Singapore 7s since 2016 (just like the Vancouver 7s) had produced a new winner so this bit of history favoured Powell’s brigade. The first half display by Fiji was clinical but lack of discipline, missed tackles and taking wrong options when pressure mounted in the second half resulted in the thrilling 20-19 comeback win for the green machine. During the half-time break Baber reminded the boys to play as a unit but the message fell on deaf ears and we ended up gifting South Africa an epic win which was described by Karl Te Nana as the greatest comeback in a 7s final. Fiji trails the USA Eagles by three points with two tournaments left. The Eagles have created history by playing eight consecutive semi-finals and will come out firing in London and Paris. The loss hurts as we had the game in the bag and while South Africa celebrated a great win, we were left fuming at the missed opportunities. Nonetheless, it’s far from over and we can win the series. A big vinaka vakalevu to the boys for their performance! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Unusual history
In terms of rugby, last weekend was one of unusual history. Much to the dismay of their fans, the BLK Nadroga side lost by a handsome defeat to Jacks Nadi at Lawaqa Park. This is perhaps uncharacteristic of such a champion side like Nadroga to lose by a huge margin as well as receiving about five yellow cards. Like a wounded lion, Nadroga will certainly be back in the running but for now Nadi has broken a deadlock of about 10 years by defeating Nadroga at its home ground. Meanwhile, our national sevens team created unusual history by qualifying for the quarter-finals of the Singapore Sevens despite losing two pool matches to South Africa and Scotland. Some may argue this as unfair but it’s history now. Meanwhile, at work places in Suva, excitement about the Coca-Cola Games is so intense that some staff productivity may decrease. Talanoa sessions over morning tea and lunch time is expected to be extended by some who prioritise updates on the Coca-Cola Games over work commitments. Who knows, results of the 2019 Coca-Cola Games may present some example of unusual history. Best to all spectators and participants at the Coca-Cola Games and don’t forget to stay dry should it rain. FLOYD ROBINSON, Toorak, Suva.
Our children
Travelling to work every morning, I often see a great number of children looking as young as 8 years old travelling unaccompanied throughout the Suva Bus Stand, either trying to make it to school or getting off at their stops. With the swarm of the early morning crowd and drivers rushing to get to places on time, I hope vigilance is not merely being an afterthought. Talei Driso Nailuva Rd, Suva
Fiji Finals
Excitement is brewing in the Capital City as the Fiji Finals kicks off today. I’m expecting a tough finish as athletes will be out to show their stuff. My best wishes to all the athletes for the Fiji Finals! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Kids at work
I would like to voice my frustration at the sight of kids being used to earn money while their parents relax at home. We tend to see these kids selling homemade bakings from house to house. In the trench in the sun, these poor kids will walk miles just so that they return home with nothing left. While selling, these kids will look straight into your eyes and politely ask if you would like to buy some and if you look deeper into those innocent eyes you will realise the strain, the struggle, the pain they had to endure just so they finish off their selling. It is really sad, because at this age group, these kids are not supposed to be struggling to feed the family as it’s the role of the parents. It’s true when we say the struggle is real, but we as parents should be struggling so that our kids don’t see the struggle. Samuela R. Rareba Raiwaqa, Suva
Awesome outing
Congratulations to the Fiji 7s team for their performance in Singapore. You were awesome boys as you mesmerised everyone with the way you played. Please keep your heads up. It was just not our day! Meanwhile, we will continue to support you all the way. Joeli Naleca Natabua, Lautoka
Brilliant effort
Hearty congratulations to our’s and the Blitzbokke 7s team. Gallant effort, the Flying Fijians. Sitting second on the points table, three off the lead and two to go. Oh boy, what a mouth watering finale we are gonna have. Chin up lads. Two more heaves and you will have it in the bag. Congratulations once again. Brilliant! MANOJ LAL PATEL Drasa Ave, Lautoka
