Traditional giants back on top!
THE words ‘We are Ba’ echoed throughout the iconic Govind Park as Ba broke an eight-year-old Battle of the Giants tournament drought. Emotions overflowed. Tears were shed openly as fans, officials and players basked in glory. Fiji’s traditional football giants last won the Inkk Mobile BOG in 2018 after beating Suva 2-0. Abbu Zahid and Samuela Nabenia sealed the 17th BOG title and their first win since 2013. Ba’s form had slumped, but Praneel Dayal and the interim officials must be commended for bringing the team back to the top. Former Ba football legends like Malakai Kainihewe and Isikeli Seva were roped in as mentors. Player welfare was made a priority, and some bold decisions were made which brought a lot of excitement and hype not only in Ba but in Fiji. Ba fared well. They won the Fiji Fact, league and now the BOG. Ba qualified for the 2027 O-League as well. The rate at which the Men in Black are going, they should make a clean sweep this year. Under Govind Park’s glowing lights, Ba wrote history, claiming their 18th BOG title. Ba proved that unity can never be broken. It will bring glory. Head coach Ravinesh Kumar, who guided Fiji to the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, is a gem, a master tactician who knows his job. His presence is a boost to Ba. Jay Dayal, who is a shoulder to his brother, Praneel, should also be commended for his financial support and camaraderie. The two brothers have combined to bring back lost glory to the football crazy town. To Ba fans, players and officials, I congratulate each one of you for this memorable victory! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Well done Ba
BA has won every competition this season, except for the CVC, which they did not qualify for. They have achieved victories in the League, Fiji FACT, and the BOG. This impressive accomplishment highlights the extensive preparation, sacrifice, and commitment of everyone involved. The players certainly deserve the highest recognition for their teamwork and unity, which made this success achievable. Many individuals work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure daily training sessions run smoothly and that players are transported to and from games, all while caring for their overall well-being. This demands punctuality, time, and steadfast dedication; their contributions are invaluable. A special acknowledgment goes to Pranil Dayal, president of Ba FC, for his significant role in changing the perception of soccer in the district. I believe the entire district is celebrating together today. With great excitement, I offer my sincere congratulations to the team for their remarkable performance. Ba to Ba rahi! Let’s keep striving and continue to build on this success! Suresh Chand Nadi
2 months and counting!
I took a south-bound cruise along the Ovalau Circular Road on Sunday (13/09) and must admit that the stretch of road from Nasova to Tokou Village is in such a pathetically atrocious state, that even a horse would be afraid to trot along the same. Obviously, the same goes for most of the other sections of the same road that circumnavigates our island. On 01/07/2026, the Fiji Media Association hosted a public dialogue/forum at the Levuka Town Hall. Those in attendance, had raised/highlighted various issues affecting our island, which needed urgent attention. The panelists consisted of Government Ministers and Members of the Opposition, namely the Minister for Justice and Acting Attorney-General, Siromi Turaga, Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Mosese Bulitavu, Minister for Public Works, Ro Filipe Tuisawau, Opposition Leader, Inia Seruiratu and Opposition Member of Parliament, Premila Kumar. Subsequently, out of the many issues raised/highlighted, two were regarding the roads and a much needed ambulance for Levuka Hospital. The audience were assured that the issues were duly noted and will be urgently addressed. However, it’s two months since and the issues still linger. Accordingly, during the forum, I’d noticed none of the panellists jotted down issues raised in-order to diarise for follow-ups. Just a few days ago, the Minister of Multi-Ethnic Affairs, Culture, Heritage & Arts including the Sugar Industry, took a ride along the Nasova-Draiba Village stretch in a taxpayer funded top of the range heavily tinted and fully air-conditioned 4WD. One wonders if he’d noticed the condition of the road. Anthony Sahai Levuka, Ovalau
Unique language!
Language is a means of communication whereby we try to relay a message across to our fellow human beings. There are many languages that can be a means of communication which have evolved over centuries, and yet why is it that Fiji is still stuck with the language that our colonialists enforced for their gain. English itself is a collection of languages (Latin, Germanic, Sanskrit, Greek, etc) which has evolved over the years. With Fijian, Hindi, Rotuman and now the ever increasing Chinese language widely spoken, it makes sense that there be a common official language by which we in Fiji could communicate with. Now that we are all called Fijians, there should be a unique language for us. The Americans twisted English to suit themselves, PNG, Vanuatu and Solomons were given Pidgin. Fiji should evolve to suit our way of life and understanding and stand out from the rest. Let’s start with something we are known for the world over by greeting each other with “bula” rather than hello, “yadra vinaka” rather than good morning, “moce” instead of goodbye, “kaise” instead of how are you. Even tourists and the ever increasing Bangladeshi labourers have adopted the all-meaning “set”. Edward Kumar Lautoka
FNPF saga
What has freedom of speech got to do with the FNPF saga? Making that connection is a bit of a long shot, I believe. Playing the victim because people made terrible investment decisions and blaming others for their own self-inflicted woes and their atrocious choices in life has become part of the tradition and culture of the country. Cursing others while quoting from the Holy Bible has also become part of the tradition and culture of the country. Why are the “victims” of the so called FNPF saga more important than the victims in other phases of life such as domestic violence, robberies, scams and all the other things happening in Fiji. Jan Nissar Sydney, NSW, Australia
A tribute
Our heartfelt sympathies to the family on the sad demise of honourable Agni Deo Singh. His legacy and love and care for all employees, children, teachers and the wider community is evident, and that will remain with us. As an exemplary leader who always put service before self for peace and progress of all Fijians, he is gone but not forgotten. Rest in peace. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Council elections
This Coalition Government delayed the town and city council elections, giving the excuse that some kind of reforms were not complete then they told us there won’t be any elections altogether because there could be a voter burn out. This could be the most silly excuse ever. I would like this three-wheeler Coalition Government to stop fooling the ratepayers. The Government should realise that the ratepayers are the ones that are the most affected by the council operations. I am requesting this Government to stop fooling the ratepayers and just let ratepayers have their council back. Do not waste money on administrators. They are getting paid for doing nothing. Please just let the ratepayers vote in the council elections. Sukha Singh Labasa
Albert Park
I believe the majority enjoyed the festival while the minority cried out loud for the grass but, not for the cows! AREKI DAWAI Suva
Biosecurity issues
Edward Kumar of Lautoka has questioned Bio- security of Fiji on why the villagers from islands are targeted for the Tongan fruit fly. I agree with Edward that the Biosecurity should be held responsible. They are also responsible for the termites that are affecting almost all parts of Fiji now. The biosecurity officers at Port Denarau only ask local passengers if they brought any kinds of fruits from the outer islands but tourists are never asked or checked. So many issues but no one to really do the job. Narayan Reddy Lautoka
Soccer victory
Congrats Ba with the deserving 2-1 win over Rewa in your home ground. Thank you Radio Fiji Two for giving us online listeners abroad your efficient commentator Raymond Stoddart and the team. Ba are the giants! Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Public park and surveillance zone?
I wish to express my serious concern and disappointment over an incident involving an in-house security officer of the Suva City Council at a public park in Suva. While I was at the park, relaxing and going about my own business, I was secretly photographed by a security officer using his mobile phone without my knowledge or consent. I found this extremely offensive, uncomfortable and intimidating. A public park is a place where ordinary citizens should be able to sit, relax and spend time without feeling that they are being secretly photographed by security personnel. After I noticed what had happened, I approached the officer and asked why he had taken my photograph and under whose authority or permission he was doing so. Instead of respectfully addressing my concern, he responded aggressively and stated that it was his “right” to take photographs because he needed to update his report to his manager through Viber. This response was deeply concerning to me. The fact that a photograph of me could be taken secretly on a mobile phone and then transmitted through a messaging application without my knowledge raises serious concerns about privacy, dignity and the handling of personal information. I understand that security officers have duties to monitor public spaces and report incidents when necessary. However, being a security officer should not give anyone the right to treat members of the public as though they have no privacy or dignity. There is a significant difference between performing legitimate security duties and secretly photographing innocent members of the public without properly explaining the reason. Fiji’s Constitution recognises the right to personal privacy under Section 24. In today’s digital age, photographs are also personal information that can potentially be copied, stored, forwarded or shared beyond their original purpose. This makes the unexplained use of personal mobile phones and messaging applications for photographing members of the public particularly concerning. What disturbed me most was not only the photograph itself, but the manner in which I was treated when I questioned the officer. Instead of receiving a reasonable explanation, I was met with an aggressive response about his supposed “right”. As a member of the public, I should not have to feel intimidated for simply asking why my image was being taken. This incident has made me question whether ordinary people using public parks are now expected to accept being photographed by security personnel without their knowledge. If that becomes normal, then our public spaces risk becoming places where people feel watched rather than welcomed. I believe security and public safety are important, but they must be balanced with respect for the rights and dignity of the people they are supposed to serve. Being in a public place should not automatically mean surrendering one’s dignity or accepting unexplained surveillance. I am bringing this matter to public attention because I believe other members of the community may have experienced similar treatment but remained silent. People should not be afraid to speak up when they feel that their privacy has been disregarded or when security personnel behave in an intimidating manner. This was not merely about having my photograph taken. It was about being photographed secretly, without my knowledge, and then being confronted aggressively when I questioned the reason for it. As a member of the public, I found the entire experience deeply disturbing and unacceptable. Peceli Alistir Waitolu, Naitasiri
