Full of energy
Editor Fred Wesley summed up the essence of the Fiji Finals in yesterday’s editorial, “People look forward to the annual Fiji Finals. “It attracts the imagination of the masses. There is something special about the power and grace, and speed on display. “There is a special mana attached to this event, where winners are catapulted on to a very high platform.” The Fiji Finals concluded yesterday and ardent spectators were entertained to an event full of energy, blistering pace and our passionate athletes who sweated blood and tears. At the conclusion of the historic three-day athletics meet, the herons from Delainakaikai and the beauties from Waimanu defended their titles and walked away smiling despite a barrage of challenges from the smaller schools. The 100m finals were a class and so were the relays. The most anticipated events lived up to expectations and parents and former scholars were vibrant, cheering their hearts out for their schools. Months of training had paid dividends for those who won a medal and for those who didn’t I’m sure that they’ll come prepared next year. My compliments to the organising committee, athletes and officials and congratulations to RKS and ACS! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Congratulations in order
I would like to sincerely congratulate St. Joseph’s Secondary School for its milestone achievement in achieving second place in the 2019 Coca-Cola Games. The athletes have done the school proud and I thank them for the tremendous effort and sacrifice that they have made in producing such astounding results (seven gold, four silver, five bronze medals). Thank you for believing in yourselves and keeping the “Josepharian spirit” alive. Also a job well done to all other schools and athletes that performed to their very best in their various events. Well-deserved achievements indeed. Ida Stephens Suva
Three-day event
Did the decision to hold the Fiji Finals over three days backfire on the crowd turn-up at the ANZ Stadium. The embankments did look empty. Aside from the weather, it may have been a little too much for some to afford tickets for three days. Hopefully, a bigger crowd next year. Meanwhile, can the 2020 Fiji Finals be taken to the West like at Churchill Park, Lautoka. Floyd Robinson Toorak, Suva
Fair competition
The chief guest at the Fiji Secondary Schools Athletics Finals focused the spotlight on fair competition. At this annual event, there are two sets of winners. The first group is the well-known bigger schools who win many medals. The second group is the unknown outside schools who manage to bag a few medals. In the ensuing year of competition, some athletes who performed well from the unknown outside schools in the previous year, are seen participating in the colours of the bigger schools. Although the prerogative is with the students for their school choice, I think this poaching of athletes has contributed to the success of some these bigger schools. Whatever others may say, I believe this competition has not been fair for many years. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Inspiring article
It was inspiring to read an article by Luke Rawalai (FT 18/04) titled “Freezer to keep catch fresh”. Thanks to the Fijian Government through the Ministry of Fisheries, the beautiful people of Kioa Island can now ease their financial burden of travelling nine miles to Rabi and Taveuni to purchase ice to store fish. The handover of a $14,000 new solar powered freezer will facilitate the islanders in keeping their catch fresh for the market. It also paves the way in supporting our commitment to climate action initiatives at community level through use of renewable energy. Vinaka to the government for the continuous effort and hard work in “putting into action” these transformative changes through socio-economic rural and maritime developments around Fiji. SPENCER ROBINSON Suva
Notre Dame Cathedral
Only days after the Notre Dame Cathedral flamed up in an inferno, donations to rebuild the cathedral has topped a staggering $F1.54b. Yet we have many around the world including children starving to death and without the most basic of needs. How ironic that the church sees it proper that a building takes precedence over God’s children! Human dignity is supposed to be the central consideration of our Christian philosophy as we are created in the image and likeness of God. We have lost our way because we have neglected our true purpose. What a tragedy! Simon Hazelman Rava Estate, Savusavu
Victoria Cross hero
I believe there are few heroes who have passed on. It was learnt from a TV documentary Na Toso that Sefanaia Sukanaivalu was born seven months prematurely and was kept in an improvised incubator “herbal treatment of banana leaves and molten masi/tapa” to keep the young hero alive. It was amazing to hear the stories from one Mr Vulakoro of Yacata which was incredibly emotional indeed. We now have modern incubators and medical technologies and have advanced further because of men’s God given intelligence. Thank God for this particular hero’s life that was kept alive via improvised incubator. Margaret Snow Joji O. Toronibau Navetau, Tunuloa, Cakaudrove
Good Friday
The message of Good Friday is simple: God the Creator dying to redeem fallen created human beings from the curse of sin, sickness and death. Good Friday makes Christianity different from all other religions because it depicts the Creator dying on a cross, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! The Apostle John opens his Gospel account stating that the Word who had spoken the world into existence and who took the time to create Adam from the dust of the ground, became a human being! Apostle Peter commented that we are not redeemed with gold or silver but with the precious blood of the Son of God, who was foreordained before the creation of the world. Good Friday is God appealing to us fallen human beings that He loves us so much, that He was willing to pay for the curse and penalty for sin, and that this is the only provision for our salvation. But He still respects His gift to us: freedom of choice! This Good Friday, as we contemplate the Creator hanging on a cross between two thieves; it is my prayer that we will all choose to accept this redeeming love sacrifice from heaven and live to reflect that same love on others. Happy Easter Fiji. Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa Suva
Easter weekend
Were you looking forward to Easter with anticipation and excitement? During the Lenten season, we have had an opportunity to ponder our personal life, with its ups and downs. We should have examined our current relationship with God. Such reflection and examination will enable us to draw closer to God because we begin to put our living into perspective. Christian hope is Easter hope. It is different to the hope we normally encounter in the world today. It is hope that is totally contingent on a particular event, and because that event has happened our hope is secure. Not wishful-thinking hope, but guaranteed hope. Easter is here and we are being given a fresh opportunity to live as Easter people. Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
7s team management
With another World Rugby 7s leg done and dusted, our 7s gladiators seem to be the worst hit team with the amount of injuries like that being copped by Jerry Tuwai. While we thank the boys for giving their hearts out knowing that no one goes on to the rugby field to lose, I stand to question the role of the Fiji 7s team manager. I believe Fiji Rugby Union should hold courses for team managers like they do with coaches and referees to assist those who will manage our national teams, understand their role and what they can do to help assist the team in situations like this. The amount of injuries and the different interpretation of the laws of the game by different referees is becoming a concern, and if our 7s team manager can raise some issues with World Rugby judiciary about it, that should help. It’s time that someone stands up to World Rugby and question some decisions made by the referees because we never know when we would be deprived of a cup final or the next big injury might hit one of our players, and end their rugby career or their life which we do not want to see happening, as they have a family to return home to. Let’s not stand and watch from the sideline, watch silently and allow the bigger nations to thump us down with something overlooked by the referees, let’s show them that we might be a smaller nation but we can fight for what our players deserve — an equal treatment on the rugby field. Let’s stop it right here FRU, please educate our managers to know the pathway to take in situations like this. Once again, vinaka team for the effort given! Kolinio Vunaki Macfarlane Rd, Raiwai, Suva
Good Friday
“Easter is a time when God turned the inevitability of death into the invincibility of life” (Craig D Lounsbrough). Good Friday is the day of hope and it is the day where we look forward to a brighter tomorrow. Furthermore, Good Friday is a day of sorrow mingled with joy. It is a time to grieve over the sin of man and to meditate and rejoice upon God’s love in giving His only Son for the redemption of sin. As Christians commemorate the crucifixion of Lord Jesus Christ and his resurrection, on behalf of my family I wish our Christian brothers and sisters a blessed Good Friday and safe and happy Easter weekend and I pray that the Lord Jesus Christ blesses every individual. It’s imperative that we practise mercy, forgiveness and the love that the Lord Jesus Christ showed through his crucifixion. Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Games and selectors
Did the coaches and selectors of our national sevens men’s and women’s teams watch the Coca-Cola Games? A number of potential future reps stood out. This was too good an opportunity for our coaches and selectors to overlook. Who knows in a few years from now, some of these young athletes will be wearing the black and white jersey. Floyd Robinson Toorak, Suva
Family Care Leave
Family Care Leave abuse (FT 18/04) — I am not surprised! Introducing additional leave entitlements also requires some form of regulatory mechanisms apart from employees being vigilant and exercising integrity at all times. SPENCER ROBINSON Suva
Pile of rubbish
First thing on Monday morning the pile of rubbish was cleared and Nepani Rd is now clean again. This was after the issue was highlighted in this column recently. Sometimes the relevant authorities need to be told in some sort of manner to get the job done. It seems they are glued to their chairs and don’t even bother to check what needs to be done outside. Tomasi Boginiso Nasinu
E-ticketing system
The e-ticketing system will be reviewed (FT 15/4), good! May I suggest that included with the e-ticketing, cash be also allowed. The bus door could also be equipped with a mechanism whereby anyone entering will be counted. As soon as a person crosses the laser beam it will count and the message sent directly to the company. That way the number of people getting in will tie with the number of tickets given. Just a thought. Allen Lockington Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka
