Bula Boys bring glory back to Fiji Football
I SALUTE the Bula Boys for creating history at home. Players and their loved ones and fans celebrated the Bula Boys MSG Prime Minister’s Cup triumph over Vanuatu who had defeated them in round robin play by a goal. The hard-fought victory over the defending champions was sweet in front of home fans. Thomas Dunn’s sizzler in the 10th minute of the first half sealed the deal as the boys played their hearts out and defended gallantly to emerge victorious. Fans enjoyed the exciting and physical battle. The final whistle sparked a huge celebration in the heart of Fiji. The victory was historic and has gone into the annals of our football history because it was the first time since 2000 that Fiji lifted a regional trophy. I congratulate Dunn for walking away with the Men’s Golden Ball Award winner. The Bula Boys need recognition. They not only proved critics wrong, but cemented their number one spot in Melanesia, bringing back those glorious days that we once enjoyed as giants on the football pitch. To the Bula Boys, a big vinaka vakalevu! As the Inter-District Championship (IDC) kicks off today at the HFC Bank Stadium, I wish all the teams the best! I wish our sports reporters and Fiji’s top football commentator Raymond Stoddart all the best too! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Balgovind Rd, Nadawa, Nasinu
Readiness and access
AS Pacific Island nations should we focus on the need for more climate change funding only or are we ignoring our ability to utilise donor funding withing the strict deadlines? Are we aligning our operational processes and policies (human resources, grants, procurement, legal and procurement) so that decision making is timely and allows our people to access these funds so that our communities are able to experience maximum benefits of projects? Otherwise, our internal processes may add so much bureaucracy that we are not able to utilise funding before project and donor deadlines. All in all, one hopes that our climate change discussions adopt a balanced viewpoint between accessing more funding versus our capacities or readiness to receive and utilise funding before it is too late. FLOYD ROBINSON Micronesia
Dented pride
THE interim/acting Fiji Water Flying Fijians head coach, Senirusi Seruvakula, had five glorious chances on the international stage to prove his real worth and credentials. He faltered. Sadly, he managed a 20 per cent success rate – winning only one of five matches against Canada. The Flying Fijians lost to a determined and disciplined Japan side, in short, was rather shameful. Fiji paid heavily with discipline issues in most matches. Fiji should have won four out of the five recent international matches. No kidding. The measure of an interim coach, appointed under sudden and unusual circumstances, speaks volumes. Rather influential. The Flying Fijians deserve far better, in my view and with every respect. Besides, prudence will dictate an alternate, proven and better-serving successful head coach is now needed “at the eleventh hour”. The Fiji Rugby Union must dig deep to confirm someone more worthy and better serve Fiji’s dented international pride on the rugby pitches worldwide. The truth always hurts. RONNIE CHANG Nadi
Trust no one
The drug crisis in Viti, I believe, is one of the consequences of the transition in leadership that has taken place. The problems are everywhere – you name it, they have it. In these uncertain times, trust no one! AREKI DAWAI Maharaj Place, Samabula
Minority protection
IN most countries, there are legislative measures in the Constitution to protect the rights and interests of the minority communities. We have exactly the opposite in Fiji. Our Constitution protects the rights and interests of the majority community. There is even no mention of minority in the proposed Constitution. The Great Council of Chiefs will have powers to elect the President, Vice President and nominate majority of members to the Senate. Why not we let the GCC elect the Prime Minister as well? It’s nominees to the Senate may well be the members of the Cabinet. All the election expenses could be saved. BHARAT MORRIS Gold Coast, Australia
India’s democracy under protest
I REFER to World News (FT 05/10) about India’s Gen Z protests. Since the last Gen Z protests in Delhi, Indians have been complaining that PM Modi has become soft on protests. Leave aside burnt vehicles, Modi even pardoned protesters who swore at him and even his dead mother. He further ordered that students not be charged by Police. But the Indians are claiming that the Delhi Police were beaten by protesters during farmers’ protests. This is enough and needs to be stopped. The Indian political pundits have predicted that mid-year 2027, President Droupadi Murmu’ s term would come to end. PM Modi may be appointed President and it’s highly likely that Uttar Pradesh State Chief Minister Yogi Aditya Nath would be appointed Prime Minister. People may then say it was better had Modi remained Prime Minister. The Indians believe Intelligence Reports) that Western deep States and leftist organisations are funding these protests to keep India disturbed. They call it “The Protest Industry”. India has layers of security and defence forces, namely: local armed Police; CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) specialised in riot control; Indian Military Forces – Army, Navy and Air Force. These Armed Forces will never allow protesters to reach even the precincts of Indian Parliament House. In comparison, the Palestinian’s had scaled the rooftops of Parliament House in Canberra, Australia during a protest. May I also remind you of what happened in our Parliament House in year 2000. Indians waged a long struggle of more than 800 odd years for freedom and democracy. They will not allow it to be hijacked by a few hundred or a few thousand protesters. RAKESH CHAND SHARMA Nadi
Water leaks
MANY places around Lautoka are experiencing water cuts for months now and I’m told that more water cuts are going to happen if the drought continues. What baffles me is the number of places I have seen burst pipes and water leaking for weeks before it gets repaired. If the water level is low at the dam, at least the Water Authority should fix the many leaking pipes to save water. NARAYAN REDDY Lautoka
Fiji’s democracy
WITH the superimposition of the feudal unelected chiefly class in the parliamentary system in modern day Fiji democracy as proposed in the new Constitution of Fiji, the Rabuka gang in Government and its hired hands have shown how to take the nation forward Fiji style by going backwards! For a more detailed analysis read the letter by Dr Sushil K Sharma title ‘Constitutional amendments’ in The Sunday Times (4/10/26). RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, NSW, Australia
Safe storage
THE places where evidence, we believe, the institutions would protect and never go missing were the police and judiciary exhibit room, but corruption is thriving well within. So where else in a government property can be deem safer for evidence storage today, State house? AREKI DAWAI Maharaj Place, Samabula
Curry leaves
SOMEONE may need to have a look at the marijuana leaves held as evidence. May have been replaced with curry leaves. EDWARD KUMAR Lautoka
Gift from Australia
The Australian PM is coming today for the pre-COP summit. Let’s see what gifts he comes bearing for Fiji and Fijians. Australia has already given about $30million to help Fiji host the summit. But, as always, no amount of gifts ever seems to be enough for Fiji. JAN NISSAR Sydney, NSW, Australia
Delegates walk out
NEWS reports have it that around 77 delegations walked out on Netanyahu’s recent speech at the UN. The mass co-ordinated departure leaving a near-empty assembly hall stands as one of the largest and most dramatic protest actions seen at the UN in recent years. Is that a proud achievement for Netanyahu and Israel? RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, NSW. Australia
Don’t forget Nadi
THE announcement of the approval of some 124 projects in the Central, Western and Northern divisions worth $757million, $398million and $77million respectively is an excellent boom in terms of Fiji’s economic progress. Such approval by the authorities concerned should go hand-in-hand with extremely pertinent basic infrastructure daily needs. Too often, basic necessities like water, sewage, electricity, garbage disposal are almost left desperately wanting. My home state Nadi suffers greatly with these basic necessities. We experience water disruptions. Jetset Nadi, the tourism capital of Fiji, the major contributor to our nation’s GDP does not have its own rubbish dump. This is shameful. This is a huge worry. We cannot, and must not rely on Lautoka. Fiji’s tourism mecca in Denarau, Fantasy, Wailoaloa and Naisoso must now begin to address their own marine desalination plants. This is long overdue. The Mamanuca group of resorts are truly shining examples in this respect. They have ably afforded their very own desalination plants. The acknowledged pest, African tulip is running rife in the whole Western Division. Local flora, fauna, native trees, plants are suffering catastrophically. For years, I have raised this subject. It has not gained any traction. No one is listening. Are we years too late? Am I wrong? Local birds, insects, butterflies and dragonflies, once plentiful, are hardly seen. Their local habitats have been overrun by the African tulip pest in immense proportions. Nadi’s Navakai sewage plant is today tired, exhausted and barely surviving. Navakai plant suffers enormous stress. About 50 years after the development of the first resort in the Regent of Fiji, caused initial stress with about 200 rooms. Today, Denarau boasts some 3000 rooms, apartments and upmarket residential homes, Navakai sewage treatment plant is almost bursting at its seams. Our authorities have failed miserably. Denarau’s Sheraton and The Sofitel and Wailoaloa’s Crowne Plaza host some 2000 registered foreign and local delegates at the Pre COP31 conference. What a privilege for Fiji. Enormous thanks go the people and Government of Australia for picking up the healthy tab of about $A20million from October 05 to 08 (equivalent $F30million). These are some glaring examples where basic infrastructure growth and development have not been addressed. Please do not overlook Nadi and our need for better water supply, sewage treatment and rubbish dump. The new Government must address this. RONNIE CHANG Nadi
Nadi takes top spot!
WHAT a breathtaking battle it was between Fiji’s top two provincial sides – Nadi and Naitasiri – at Ratu Cakobau Park! Before that battle, Naitasiri thumped Nadroga 35-20 at the same venue while Nadi edged defending champions Malolo 33-31 in round nine. It was a winners-take-all as the winning team would take top spot after round 10. The Highlanders did their best, but the giants from the West had other ideas and played gallantly. Nadi, Naitasiri, Tailevu and Nadroga lead the pack and are gunning for a top four finish. The provincial competition is heating up. Even Suva had an off-day, going down to Taveuni 31-32. RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Balgovind Rd, Nadawa, Nasinu
