Kulas on the receiving end
It was disappointing to see the way New Caledonia stormed into the semi-final of the U16 women’s championship after humbling the Fiji Kulas 6-0 in Apia. Coached by Kenji Vendegou and boasting the likes captain Matha Bako, Selapale Sameke, Bernadette Nyikeine, Kine Hmaen, Shana Nemoinon and Heidra Adjouhgniope, the New Caledonians looked lethal and sharp in attack and defence. Fiji looked weak and allowed the opposition to score six goals. We were under pressure for much of the game and the 10 goals that we conceded show the lack of preparation and game time. Our girls looked fatigued and tired, and this was reflected when the dust settled. Coach Marika Rodu and his team management have a lot on their plate. We conceded 10 goals, something to think about. I hope a thorough post-mortem will be carried out. To Rajend Naidu, a veteran writer, do not mix sports and political appointments. Have a blessed day! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
Lautoka rates rise
Sadly, Lautoka City Council has raised city rates by 5 per cent to the already burdened people of Lautoka. The four special administration team has not done anything good for the people at all. Our streets, which used to be swept twice weekly, are now swept once a month or sometimes not swept, damaged drains are still to be repaired, and the historical swimming pool still not completed. Marine Drive is full of rubbish and our bus station still smells of urine. Can the Minister for Local Government look into the affairs of Lautoka City. Looks like after the resignation of the CEO, the state of Lautoka has gone astray. GEOFFREY CHAND Lautoka
Vague hit back
Deputy PM Professor Biman Prasad said the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service collected around $150million more than forecast over the past one and a half years. Sounds good, especially when Government runs on tax revenues. Premila Kumar hit back with vague claims of several “gaps” in the tax collection system. She could be right, but she has to provide specific examples rather than say everything that I could also say, without much research. So Premila Kumar could show one of those gaps, for FRCS and Prof Prasad to plug. As I said, she could be right. DONALD SINGH Suva
Tricks in the bag
Will Natabua High School and Cuvu College have enough tricks in the bag to humble the eastern giants of Ratu Kadavulevu School and Marist Brothers High School this weekend at Churchill Park? Whatever’s one’s opinion, without a doubt, these will be nail-biting encounters on the rugby paddocks until the final whistle. I am looking forward to exciting matches in the under-18 Super Deans quarter-finals but have an even more pressing question. Will any of these players progress to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in a Flying Fijians jersey. As for predicting the outcomes, I do not have any more tricks in the bag but hope that players hydrate adequately in the heat of Lautoka. FLOYD ROBINSON Micronesia
Praise for minister
While welcoming Lynda Tabuya’s appointment as the Minister for Information, fellow letter writer Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam says that she is an inspiration to girls and women (FT 6/8). I find that statement open to interpretation because the general perception seems to be quite different following the controversy surrounding the video recording that went viral that led to her dismissal from Cabinet. Like Rajnesh I also respect her private life, but when you are a public figure, you are always under intense scrutiny because you are seen as a role model. Your behaviour and personal life is not immune from criticism for it has an influential impact on others. As a national leader you carry a huge responsibility on your shoulders which demands one’s conduct to be beyond reproach at all times. Respect and dignity once lost is difficult if not impossible to regain. The number of votes she polled in the two elections demonstrates her popularity rating at that time and as such is irrelevant to her current standing in the public eyes. I will be very surprised if she manages to regain the same voter following in the next election. But I am glad she has been given a second chance and hope the lessons learnt will not only make her a high performing minister, but a wiser individual as well. Let me leave with a fitting quote from Julian Barnes: Once bitten, twice shy; twice bitten, forever shy. SELWA NANDAN Lautoka
A day to remember
It is now 80 years since the two atomic bombings of Japan and we should remember the consequences. On a recent trip through the Hiroshima Peace Park and Museum it was so easy to see how horrible it was for the civilians, the innocent and worse still, the children. It is an event that should never happen again and yet Putin has mentioned the possibility and the bombs are still ready to go. “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it,” and those that ignore it and make threats are evil. DENNIS FITZGERALD Melbourne, Australia
Luxury apartment
Aiyaz (Sayed-Khaiyum) lists $7m luxury apartment (FT 7/8). The former attorney-general and minister of many portfolios clearly did very well for himself by joining the post coup Bainimarama regime. RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, NSW, Australia
Candlelit stadium
What now? Candlelit grog sessions and dinners at the new stadium? Before giving the naming rights they should have asked for floodlights. Electrical contractors that they are. MANOJ LAL PATEL Drasa Ave, Lautoka
Lady in red
Some may wonder if the re-entry of the lady in red in a ministerial position was hypothetically ethical in its sense or was it an appointment for a political party’s survival. Anyway, all the best for all the good reason! AREKI DAWAI Maharaj Place, Samabula
No water
It is now 6.50am Thursday, August 07, 2025. We have had no water from about 5.24am. After waiting about an hour for some water restoration, I lodged my complaint to WAF on 5777. I await for an answer, rather patiently. WAF Customer Service response needs improvement. “Fiji time” works, rather annoyingly especially for retirees. RONNIE CHANG Martintar, Nadi
New start for Ba
The newly developed 4R Stadium is major milestone for Ba, which will now attract and host more competitive sporting matches such as rugby and soccer. Congratulations to all stakeholders involved in this successful development. All in all, a new beginning for Ba. By the way, the Ba rugby team looks promising and with continued perseverance, is likely to progress into a formidable side. It’s only a matter of time. FLOYD ROBINSON
Micronesia
VAT, rates and women
Unscrupulous dealers
This cake shop along Khalsa Rd still sells their cakes at pre-August 1 prices. They are VAT compliant, so it means they have quietly pushed up their profit margins. That plastic bags manufacturer with a shop in Lautoka still sells their products at pre-August 1 prices, blatantly increasing their profits, all in plain sight. Tyre repair centres all do the same. That coffee place across the road from the old Fiji Times Pte Ltd building has dropped prices to reflect the new VAT rate. Most supermarkets first increased their prices around July and with the new VAT rate, the prices have barely changed. Many other examples are out there. Everything happens in plain sight. And we stupid and gullible people should just learn to live with it. I can’t write the rest as this paper is still read by a few school students not hooked on to gadgets. Damn I didn’t apply for that top ‘watchdog’ role. Expletives. DONALD SINGH Suva
City rates
I was told last night that the Lautoka City Council has raised the city rates (special rates) by 5 percent. The streets in Simla, Lautoka are swept only once a month for the past three to four months now and when I called the Lautoka City Council, I was told that there is some contractual issues that needs to be addressed. Until today, the Simla Park footpath is full of rubbish, Waya St is full of palm leaves and Waiyavi has overgrown grass on the footpath. Our grass is cut twice a month, rubbish is not even picked on time, stray dogs and the list goes longer. Can the Lautoka City Council and the Local Government Minister justify the rate increase? JAMES PETERSEN Lautoka
Power of a woman
The grooves of the key to a man’s prosperity is in the hands and heart of every woman. She is the source of supply of happiness. To every man’s depression and situation, whatever a man gives to a woman, she’s going to multiply. If he gives her a house, she’ll give him a home. If he gives her groceries, she’ll give him a meal. If he gives her a smile, she’ll give him her heart. If he gives her coldness, she’ll give him baldness. If he gives her a vision, she’ll give him a mission. If he gives her a slap, she’ll give him a cement factory. Whatever a man gives a woman, he will receive something back — he didn’t expect. Be real man and respect women. NAVNEET RAM (TD) Lautoka