Day one thriller
Day one of the 2024 Coca-Cola Games thrilled. As I opened yesterday’s The Fiji Times, I took time to read veteran commentator Satish Narain’s opinion piece and analysis on this year’s Fiji Finals. I smiled, and I thank Satish for the well-articulated piece. I kept myself abreast with action from the HFC Bank Stadium, and as I penned this letter, MGM High School was leading the girls’ division. I wrote earlier that MGM High would be a threat to schools like ACS and Suva Grammar, and I was impressed with what I saw. Fans enjoyed the sprints and long distance runs and action from the field.
The blue-ribbon event, which concluded day one, I believe, would set the pace for an exciting, heart-throbbing, and pulsating action from day two and three. The organisers and officials are thanked for their efforts. I salute the athletes for doing the hard yards and taking part in the mecca of athletics. You are winners! All the best for day two! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
2024 experience
Students from across the country converge in Suva for what is often referred to as the biggest and most competitive secondary schools athletics games across the South Pacific. Months of training and endurance is put to the acid test as our athletes compete for glory. Will athletes successfully grab gold, silver or bronze medals? Or is it the experience of competing at the prestigious athletics competition a good enough dream for our students? Will the big guns such as ACS, RKS, QVS, MBHS and Natabua High School settle for nothing less than total victory? One could imagine the amount of cheering and screaming among supporters. Whatever one’s opinion, let us hope that people from across all communities in Fiji have the opportunity to enjoy live coverage of the 2024 CocaCola Games. One looks forward to outer island and rural schools snatching medals including big surprises. FLOYD ROBINSON Micronesia
False starts
There were so many false starts at yesterday’s (2/5) Coca-Cola sprint events at the HFC Stadium that it makes me wonder if it was the athletes at fault or the starters. VIJAY P MADHAVAN Borron Rd, Suva
Healthy workplace
The Fiji Times news on mental health issues at the workplace as released by the Minister for Employment Agni Deo Singh (FT 30/4) is a concern for all employers and employees. This needs urgent attention as a way forward to a healthy, wealthy and a productive workplace to our advantage and economical development of our country. I believe there will be some relevant counseling programs to screen and diagnose those who truly need them. I hope this will be justifiably assessed by professionals as it may cause job losses for those who may not meet the criteria. Mental health awareness programs matter at any workplace. It will pay dividends. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Levuka plans
“The Minister for Housing and Local Government, Maciu Nalumisa, has highlighted several important development plans for Levuka in order to keep its heritage status intact.” (FT 01/05)
Accordingly, he further stated that a 10-year master plan will be put in place for Levuka. Prior to embarking on drafting and initially implementing the so-called 10-year master plan, despite previous numerous pleas, could we, the people of Ovalau, “first things first”, get to witness the reconstruction of the Levuka wharf, rebuilding of the Levuka Hospital mortuary, reintroduce flights to the Bureta airstrip for tourism purposes or business engagements, upgrade Nasau Park to attract various sports events and to also enable my fellow islanders to witness teams such as the Drua, Fiji 7s or even the Flying Fijians, in scheduled training camps on the island. If they could travel as far as Taveuni, I see no reason why they cannot plan a scheduled visit to Ovalau, which is just a stone’s throw away from the mainland. In addition, prior to working on the planned 10-year master plan, please do ensure that the Ovalau Circular Rd is availed long overdue thorough attention including maintaining the various World Heritage Sites for tourism purposes. Subsequently, construction of the new market was completed approximately five months ago which now resembles a white elephant.
Are we waiting for snow flakes to fall before witnessing the ‘grand opening’? Alas, I hope and pray that overseas consultants will not be contracted to draft the 10-year master plan. A good cadre of Ovalau residents needs to be engaged to assist with the drafting of the 10-year master plan and not just the usual handful of ‘zombies’. But then again, a 10-year plan? By the look of things, I reckon the Coalition wouldn’t be around for 10 years. Anthony Sahai Levuka, Ovalau
Land utilisation
The iTaukei Land Trust Board has been providing subsidy reward payments for iTaukei land owners regarding their support of the government’s initiatives for economic growth. A sensible exercise in my opinion, however, whatever that has been offered, is just a “tiny” portion of the reality that matters. And I can not recall any government administration since independence that has appropriately secured “regulatory reform”, of the iTaukei lands development. For whatever changes that have been done, the iTaukei landowners were always addressed right at the end of the line. It is like the iTaukei are the least important, when land use is the subject. And much has been discussed about “narrowing” the wealth gap, but all seemed to be just too “good on paper”. It is like planting a seed in the sea. Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity. Samu Silatolu Nakasi
Repair work
I have seen some Lautoka City Council workers repairing drains near the place I live. It has taken them a long time but the work is still incomplete. From 12pm to 3pm they don’t do any work. PWD workers were much better compared to these municipal council workers. Geoffrey Chand Lautoka
Fiji 7s plan B
Fiji 7s fans are looking forward to seeing our boys control the tempo of the game and run over USA and Great Britain tonight in the Singapore 7s. The same high tensity, offloading and amazing 7s rugby is expected in Fiji’s last pool game against Ireland. Win all three games with ease and supremacy and Fiji 7s fans will have the assurance that Plan B is now working. Win the Singapore 7s gold and we have faith that Kolinisau and his boys will again create history for Fiji 7s rugby. Go Fiji go. Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa Tacirua
Chief guest
Why was the Minister for Tourism and Aviation the chief guest of the official opening of Coca-Cola games? Don’t we have a Sports Minister? Dou! Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
What’s in a name?
Well, in the case of Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, there is a hyphen in his name. When the hyphen is omitted, Aiyaz contends it diminishes his name. Many who remember his long reign in power via the Bainimarama military coup would say his authoritarian style of leadership has more to do with the diminished stature now associated with his name rather than the hyphen. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Political interference
Wow, the Minister for Sports says “the track is good”, give back the boxing title, then I heard about a special administrator in Lautoka who went to the barber shop where I have my haircut demanding to see a business registration. Fiji has a democratic government and any political interference should stop. I believe ministers and special administrators are not supposed to be doing such things. In fact the permanent secretaries should be delighted to look at those things. Geoffrey Chand Lautoka
Gods and world conflicts
Thank you Rajend Naidu. (FT 2/5) You are quite correct, these conflicts are man-made and obviously humans are unable to solve these. Hence my suggestion for divine intervention. Vijay P Madhavan Borron Rd, Suva
Unsung heroes
What a very noble gesture, indeed by the kind folk of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) to donate $171,692 for a long-needed upgrade of the Fiji Ministry of Health infrastructure.
My gravest concern is that this announcement will appear on the TV news and receive coverage in the papers and other media for one day and simply forgotten about the next. We take so much for granted and demonstrate how much we are donor-driven. This amount is no mean feat. The LDS men and women have worked very hard to raise that kind of money. I personal thank them for the amazing contribution towards improvements to our health system and in a timely way, at that. I met a beautiful, gracious couple recently along the seawall. They were missionaries from the LDS church. We were talking about dogs; a great conversation starter. They explained the sacrifices they make carrying out the work they do such as not being able to have a dog due to frequent travel. I was very impressed by the humanitarian work they shared with me. I told them how I had visited the home of the LDS church in Salt Lake City in the US state of Utah. I was fascinated to learn while taking a tour of the Mormon Tabernacle that in its construction, mostly wooden nails were used as metal nails were scarce at the time. The hardship the Mormons faced in establishing their church is a true testament to their strength and resilience and their success in the world today through their kindness and generosity towards fellow human beings. We can all learn much from them and too, from their humbleness and humility. They are true heroes. Julie Sutherland Delainavesi\
Departure tax
In many quarters, as a South Pacific holiday destination, Fiji is already dubbed expensive. Let us all not be complacent. Any proposed increase in our departure, from $140 to $170, will lure our visitors, friends and relatives to lucrative destinations ie Bali, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam. I share my concerns respectfully; with much worry and immediate concern. Let us not be complacent. Fiji, as a holiday destination needs another 5000 new locally owned hotel/resort rooms. Please do not spoil any investment in this area. I will stand corrected. About 80 per cent of our hotels and resorts are foreign-owned. The scale needs to begin to tip into locally owned properties to gain and maintain maximum tourism earnings. Please do not “kill” our “goose” which lays our “golden eggs.” I make a fervent plea. Please leave departure tax level alone. Find alternatives. As a former kai Sabeto (1952 to 1972); I plead for major development of Vulani near Barara to develop into a fully international 20,000 seat sports stadium, complete with Olympic size swimming pool, gyms and spas; modern medical and physio centre including shopping extravaganza and 200-room resort. To avoid traffic congestion, think outside the box: use train link from Nadi International Airport and speed – luxury boat crossing from Denarau. Accommodation for athletes, sportswomen and sportsmen needs to be on site. I formally request the Chinese government to facilitate this bold initiative and investment for the Mataqali in Sabeto; the Government of Fiji and the people of Fiji. Let us tap the benefits of sports tourism. Please include all weather athletics track and field. Fiji Sports Council and Tourism Fiji must take an effective leading role. The Lands minister should lend a leading hand and fast track this development. Let us pray for better ways to take Fiji forward. This is my small insight and contribution for sports facilities in Nadi. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
