Football World Cup JAN NISSAR SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA MANY in Fiji are wondering how a tiny country like Curacao with a population of 185,000 can qualify for the Football World Cup while Fiji with a population of almost one million cannot. The answer is simple – Curacao is a protectorate of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and only one player was born in Curacao. All the others live and play in Europe, especially in the Netherlands. Everything else in Curacao is Dutch. So once Fijians start living and playing in Europe and elsewhere, Fiji may have a chance. But all is not lost because countries who host the Football World Cup automatically qualify. So, I reckon that rules out Fiji on both counts. Fijians should just stick to doing what they know best. That is enjoy their traditions and culture and pray and fast.
An explosive match FLOYD ROBINSON MICRONESIA AN explosive match awaits the grand finals of the Super Rugby Pacific 2026. Just when the Crusaders were inches away from glory, the Chiefs delivered a fast and high paced match, producing a score margin of more than 30 points. This left the Crusaders stunned and in disbelief. Similarly, the Hurricanes crushed a mighty Blues side, registering a score margin of at least 30 points. All in all, the Chiefs and Hurricanes were convincing with many of their players teasing the national All Blacks selectors. The Chiefs vs Hurricanes is an explosive match as both sides boast mobile forwards and energetic backlines. In the end, the difference between glory and defeat will rest on the experience of seasoned players, especially, those who have played for the All Blacks. For now, am tipping Waikato to topple the Hurricanes.
Hero or villain? COLIN DEOKI AUSTRALIA WAS former Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama a hero, villain or something in between? Few leaders in Fiji’s history have divided opinion as deeply as Mr Bainimarama. To his supporters, he was a bold reformer who challenged racial politics, modernised the nation, improved infrastructure and gave Fiji a stronger voice on the world stage, particularly on climate change. To his critics, he was an unelected leader who seized power through a military coup, restricted democratic freedoms through damaging decrees and governed with an iron grip for many years. The truth, as is often the case, may lie somewhere in between. Mr Bainimarama’s legacy is one of contradictions. He sought to unite Fiji under a common national identity, yet came to power by removing an elected government and removing the GCC with a disrespectful byline about “drinking home-brew under the mango tree”. He championed equality and development, yet his administration was frequently accused of limiting dissent and curtailing freedoms especially from dissenters and people in the media who paid a hefty price for speaking out against him. That price was serious allegations of intimidation, harassment, abuse, violence and “buturaki” that he’s never apologised publicly for. What cannot be denied is that he changed Fiji. Whether those changes ultimately benefited the nation more than they harmed it, remains a subject of passionate debate. History rarely deals in black and white. It tends to paint in shades of grey. Mr Bainimarama may well be remembered not as a hero or a villain, but as one of the most controversial leaders Fiji has ever produced. Whether he throws his beret in the ring for another tilt at the top job remains to be seen.
Constitution and pensioners RONNIE CHANG MARTINTAR, NADI ALL Fiji-based legal scholars and those living abroad, would do well to pay a little, long overdue attention to our Fiji Council of Churches and its president, his Grace Archbishop Peter Loy Chong, in respect of what many been saying all along, the honest validity of the 2013 Fiji Constitution. Many hard questions remain stubbornly unanswered. Some in the legal fraternity make ill-founded reference to “The Law”. It appears, only the rich, famous, powerful and the heavy-handed “can bend” the law. No one else is allowed to challenge their “man made decisions”. I call this, in simple terms, “drunk with power”. Simply unheard of and must no longer be valid. My whole-hearted thanks go to the Fiji Council of Churches, to add, with much-needed amplification, their concerns how the legality of this document actually came into fruition. Pertinent questions are today asked how, where, when and by who, “The 2013 Constitution” really became “legal” when the then government was not elected. The so-called 2013 was not passed in Parliament. There isn’t the proof needed. Just because the then “Power of Two” i.e. Bainimarama and Saiyed-Khaiyum made it to be, Fiji must accept without question. In my eyes, as a member of about 1400 surviving betrayed senior FNPF pensioners from 2012, do we not today be reserved the right, in a democracy, emphatically say, with utmost respect, we suspect the validity of the 2013 Constitution. As such, the FNPF with its $12billion portfolio plus $2billion cash in bank, can no longer plead its inability to make good, once and for all, our strongest demand for Restorative Justice and Restitution. The Law must be seen to serve us, the betrayed older pensioners. The poor, like us, can no longer be fooled until our last breath. FNPF has no choice. Pay us long before the nation’s general election. No special favours. Return what is rightfully ours. Nothing else. Respectfully, the late fearless fighter, David Burness challenged the FNPF in court. There is proof. Sadly, he passed away. Respectfully, our second fearless fighter, the late Jackson Mar, wrote volumes disproving FNPF with all statistics. I must add, Economist of Distinction, Professor Wadan Narsey, in Melbourne, with his encyclopaedic knowledge of our pensions, are submitted volumes of details. We fight on. We, the poorer, demand justice now. Will the Fiji Human Rights and Antidiscrimination Commission now take a stand for our cause? It is only fitting, proper and just.
Ministry directive MIKAELE LEAWERE RETIRED EDUCATOR AND FORMER MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT GALOA VILLAGE, SERUA I WRITE as a retired educator with over 30 years of service, and as a grandfather in Galoa Village, Batiwai, Serua. The Ministry of Education’s circular of April 28, directing all schools to complete curriculum coverage by the end of Term 2, has caused deep concern among parents and teachers in our province. While we support fuel conservation, we seek urgent clarity on three matters: 1. Will students physically attend school in Term 3? Parents need to plan for supervision, transport, and meals. Many of us work farms and cannot leave children unsupervised at home for weeks. 2. How will external exams be conducted? If the curriculum finishes in August, but exams are in October/November, what structured revision and teaching will happen in Term 3? Are there plans for schools and parents to adopt? 3. What about rural students? The Ministry asks schools to check “online access from home”. In Galoa, many households have no smartphones, no data, and poor network. Home-based learning will be a nightmare for many. Our children’s future cannot be decided by silence. We respectfully ask Permanent Secretary Navin Raj to address parents directly – in vosa vakaviti and in English – before Term 2 ends. Our teachers are committed. Our parents are willing. But we need a clear plan, not confusion.
Social media WISE MUAVONO BALAWA, LAUTOKA SHAMEFUL to see iTaukei men and women verbally abusing each other on social media which is a serious and growing problem. It seems that society has normalised abusive behaviour. The iTaukei profanity words used by these social media users would make Satan feel embarrassed and ashamed. Yet, they still call themselves Christians. The words “humility” and “respect” maybe do not exist in their vocabulary. Sobo!
Rocking Morocco RAKESH CHAND SHARMA NADI MOROCCO in its one all draw with Brazil badly exposed Brazil’s inept defence. It appears that after this World Cup, Carlo Ancelotti, as manager of Brazil will walk into the sunset like Clint Eastwood did in his cowboy movies. But the difference is Eastwood was always successful.
Organised crime AREKI DAWAI SUVA THE Commissioner of Police may have the ability to tackle organised crime (FT 14/6), but I believe he doesn’t have the capability and capacity to eradicate corrupt practices within the senior officers and Fiji Police Force in general.
Football impact RAJEND NAIDU SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA FIFA’s motto “Football Unites the World” captures soccer’s unifying power to promote peace, inclusion and education (eg it’s No Racism and Refugee well being campaign). But Trump and his far right State functionaries have demonstrated with their exclusionary actions that they do not embrace the FIFA philosophy of global harmony. Trump and cronies have put their ugly heads on the beautiful game. That’s a shame seeing as America projects itself as the leader of the free world.
The solution SUKHA SINGH LABASA THE fuel price has gone up and will keep going up. EFL and the Government should use FSC steam turbines to generate electricity as soon as possible from the excessive bagasse accumulated at the FSC yards. It will keep electricity prices low, bring down FSC debt, and give the farmers a better price. It will also save all the garbage coming from Australia. Just think about it please Government.
Great Drua fight back RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM NADAWA, NASINU THE McDonald’s Fiji Drua Women staged a great fight back to beat the Western Force at Churchill Park. Down 14-5 at half time, the girls stormed their way back into the game. Their inspiration came from their self-belief, resilience and determination plus the solid crowd support at home. The likes of Josivini Naihamu, Litiana Vueti, Varanisese Qoro and Aqela Raitubu did their part to score five delicious tries. After losing their first match to the NSW Waratahs 42-29 at the Leichhardt Oval last Saturday, pressure mounted on head coach Mike Legge and the girls to start their home match on a winning note. While we celebrate the victory, we must brace for a tough battle against the ACT Brumbies this Saturday at the 4R Stadium in Ba. The girls must work on the setpieces, kicking game and defence and cut down on silly errors. We must get back to winning ways. The last time the Drua women won the Super W title was back in 2023 when we defeated the Queensland Reds 38-30 to retain the title that we won for the first time in 2022, after outmuscling the NSW Waratahs 32-26 in the thriller. I’m hopeful of a good outing this season. Toso Drua!
