Fij soccer
I MUST applaud Fiji FA in allowing the Kiribati national team to participate in the 2026 IDC.
I give credit where it is due and Fiji FA has opened new doors for our neighbouring small islanders to showcase what is in store.
I believe in the next tournament, Kiribati should be playing in the super premier competition rather than the senior.
They reminded us that soccer is to be played simple. No long balls for players to chase.
They made the game look so beautiful.
I invite Fiji FA to allow Rotuma, a team from Rabi, Kadavu and not forgetting Nalawa, Vatukoula and Levuka to join in.
I also urge Fiji FA to drop all current districts who do not kick start their local club competitions three months prior to the start of the new soccer season.
Fiji FA is doing all they can and I don’t blame them. But it’s the “smart” district officials that I believe always fool the Fiji FA and get their grants in by some how claiming to complete their local club games, which they did not. It has been happening for the past 15 years.
I wonder why.
I believe teams such as Kiribati have skilful players. Maybe their players, if selected, will get us in the World Cup first than the current ones we are relying on.
Change is coming.
A Shariff Shah Savusavu
Fiji Day and the RFMF
IN mid-October three years ago, a friend from overseas came to visit. We went to Albert Park to watch the Fiji Day celebrations.
For hour after hour, all we saw were army and navy people marching, saluting, and playing with large guns. “Is that it?”, friend asked.
Having missed the next two years’ celebrations, curiosity led me back this year — wearing blue, as were the Public Service marchers and many ‘ordinary’ Fijians.
But yet again at Albert Park, was the RFMF parading, saluting and playing with large guns.
Why?
In his 2026 Fiji Day address, the Prime Minister reminded us to “reflect on what defines us”. How does the RFMF define us?
Many times on many occasions, Fiji’s politicians state that Fiji is one nation comprising diverse communities working together. Why should Fiji Day be so serious? Would it be so big a challenge to celebrate that on Fiji Day?
I have in mind a Fiji Day featuring performances by dancers from every vanua; Indian dancers, Banaba Islanders performing, our favourite Rotuma dancers; Eats comprising Fiji dishes (vakasoso, lolo buns, rourou, kokoda, lovo’d dalo, roasted puaka (oh wow!) and chicken curry, puri, and oh-so-sweet Indian delights; A mini ‘Vou’ circus; Games both traditional (tug-of-war, veitiqa) and modern (mini 7s, soccer); taralala on every spare space; Singers from schools and villages; Local bands … Oh, my mouth is watering and my mind is imagining. That’s it! Imagination! Come on Fiji! Can we try to show our diversity and togetherness on Fiji Day 2027?
For fun? For a change?
P Kailola Suva
Men in black reign again
BA added the prestigious Inter-District Championship trophy to its already decorated trophy cabinet.
The Men in Black reigned on Sunday afternoon at Suva’s HFC Bank Stadium, outclassing Navua 2-0. Ba won the BiC Fiji FACT at Subrail Park, defeating Navua 3-1 on penalty kicks. The side then won the Extra Supermarket Battle of the Giants tournament on home ground, defeating Rewa 2-1.
Ba topped that win after being crowned the league champions. After winning the FMF IDC tournament, the Men in Black proved they are the kings of Fiji football. I salute the leadership of Ba! Praneel Dayal deserves credit for bringing back smiles to the powerhouse of Fiji football. His brother Jaay Dayal must be commended for supporting his smaller brother to fulfill the dream of bringing back lost glory to Ba. Former Ba players like Malakai Kainihewe, Iosefo Vosaboto, Isikeli Seva and Lote Delai teamed up to guide the younger Ba players to get back the spoils that Ba once enjoyed under the leadership of Vinod Patel, Rajesh Patel and Rishi Kumar. Hats off to the boys wearing the black jumper for playing their hearts out. I also commend the master tactician, Ravinesh Kumar, for his input. Ravinesh possesses the Midas touch, and he has weaved his magic around the football fraternity. Winning three major tournaments and the league is no joke. It has come through a lot of hard work, perseverance, dedication, unity, passion and fighting spirit. Fans who stood by the Men in Black during their darkest days, are reaping the rewards of having faith in their team. Ba Football Association is on a different platform compared with other districts. Regular board meetings, player welfare, and having a strategic plan and positive attitude have paved the way for their success. Other districts need to emulate Ba’s success or they’ll be left behind. This year’s officials and players etched their names in the annals of Ba’s glorious football pages.
They’ll forever be worshipped!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Ba soccer
I HAVE been following soccer for a long time and so have many others but all districts must have the same model of development for all our players with the daily training and playing environment of the highest quality as Ba district is at the moment!
To find the success we all want, we must be serious in developing district soccer level, Fiji wide as Ba is at the moment! Praneel Dayal, the president of the BA FC has heavily invested his resources, time, and corporate backing into Ba football and community development.
His investments are notable because they bridge the gap between private enterprise and sports development in Fiji, specifically targeting grassroots talent and player sustainability.
Districts must have the same model of development for all our players. Congratulations to Ba.
A message to all the districts, the publicity of soccer is falling at grassroots level. Wake up districts. Roar like Ba. Once again Ba toh Ba hai, congratulations on winning the 2026 IDC.
NAVNEET RAM (TD) – Lautoka
Police presence
On Sunday, October 4, I felt like a VIP driving from Martintar towards Nasoso. It was due to the presence of eager faced young police officers neatly clad and donning their yellow jackets, who were directing traffic at every traffic light up to the airport. There was even one at the dangerous pedestrian crossing outside FNU and at the notorious Votualevu roundabout.
Alas, I realised later they were all out in full force for the pre-Cop meeting and not for me!
As reality sank in, I kindly ask why not a single police officer is ever seen on our Nadi roads when VIPs are not around?
Bernard Chandra Nasoso, Nadi
Rabuka’s Fiji Day call
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s Fiji Day call for “respectful debate” on the proposed Constitution rings hollow when placed beside the manner in which his Government forced through a new constitutional draft in just two days. I believe it is a shameful indictment of leadership to preach dialogue while imposing a document that neither he nor his Coalition partners can claim ownership of. The Fiji Times editorial (FT 12/10/26) rightly reminds us that constitutional reform must be rooted in transparency, public engagement and respect for democratic process. I believe none of that has occurred.
The PM has repeatedly said the Constitution “belongs to the people”. Yet the people were denied the most basic democratic courtesy: parliamentary debate. MPs who attempted to speak were told the second reading was a “formality”. The Speaker refused to allow discussion. That is not respectful disagreement; it is parliamentary muzzling. It is also a direct contradiction of the PM’s own Fiji Day message that “we strengthen Fiji when we can disagree respectfully, listen to one another, seek understanding, and allow democratic processes to take their course peacefully.”
Instead, the Government repealed almost the entire 2013 Constitution — retaining only a tiny chapter — and replaced it with a new draft that was never publicly released, never debated, and never explained. The CRC’s public submissions were not used fully. The Select Committee has been reduced to a rubber stamp. And the public has now been told that the 30–day period will be their “chance” to comment — on a version already imposed on them. That is not consultation; it is coercion dressed as democracy.
Worse still, the PM has altered key CRC recommendations, including removing the two–term limit for Prime Ministers. This raises legitimate questions about personal political motives. No Coalition partner has endorsed these unilateral changes. Several have distanced themselves. That alone should alarm the nation.
The Fiji Times editorial also highlights independent MP Ketan Lal’s legal challenge to the Amendment Bill and the rushed second reading. When a sitting MP must go to the High Court simply to ensure constitutional legality, something is deeply wrong with the process.
The Prime Minister himself has said Fiji will go to the next election under the 2013 Constitution and that the new Constitution would only take effect in 2028. If so, what is the rush? Why dismantle an entire constitutional order in two days? Why silence Parliament? Why ignore the CRC’s public submissions? Why bypass the people?
Mr Rabuka could have exited politics with dignity, remembered as the leader who finally delivered a genuine People’s Constitution. Instead, what is unfolding under his watch is a national alarm — an erosion of trust, a sidelining of democratic norms, and a missed golden opportunity to unite the country through openness rather than imposition.
Dr Sushil K Sharma Lautoka
Roasting thought
Not to be concluded as a defence but it seems like that it came out as supersonic speed. Else, marination would had been part of the process.
Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
FNPF pension
The Fiji Times opinion on “Who pays for legacy pension” (FT 12/10) should be read and well interpreted by members, retired pensioners and future members. FNPF secures our future.
Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Retesting of exhibit
We are being informed that 18 kilograms of cocaine tendered as exhibits in a court case which was concluded in 2017 has not been destroyed but was still in police custody (FT 12/10). It was seized in 2014. The High Court has ordered the drugs to be re-tested and re-weighed before further orders are issued for its disposal. I wonder why it took so long for the matter to be brought to the court. Without pre-empting the results, I will be surprised if it is still intact.
SELWA NANDAN Lautoka
Crimes against humanity
I didn’t know until I read Rakesh Chand Sharma’s letter in The Fiji Times (12/10) that my “most favoured nation” was China! RCS should do a biography on me. It could win a prize for being full of b@llsh!t!
Rajend Naidu Calgary, Canada
Pre-COP issue
The Pacific Pre-COP Fiji/ Tuvalu event in Nadi highlighted what communities already live with daily: climate change is reshaping life in the Pacific. Rising seas and stronger storms are destroying homes, contaminating water, and threatening livelihoods. These impacts undermine basic rights to housing, health, and safety. Transparent, urgent leadership is essential to protect vulnerable communities while balancing development. Climate displacement is not only the loss of land but of culture and identity. Immediate, accountable action is needed because the rising tide will not wait.
Edirth Savu USP student, Lami
