A new winner
With the FIFA World Cup soccer ending this Monday, a lot would be at stake, especially for Croatian football as they would be making their first finals. I believe the Croatians would be out there to write their piece of history. Croatia is a relatively small country with a population of about four million. Millions of people had Brazil on their minds and the early exit of top guns such as Germany, the South Americans, Portugal and others must have come as a big surprise and electric shock. Out of nowhere… the Croatians came. However, their performance in this world cup in particular is praiseworthy. They have defied all odds to reach here… their first final. Belgium was another underdog of this world cup and they also displayed brilliant football. A lesson to learn is never underestimate smaller countries. This is also a wake-up call for smaller nations such as Fiji to do some soul searching so that we also rise to this level. It is not impossible! Maybe it is also time that more players such as Roy Krishna seek contracts in overseas clubs so that we have an abundance of talents when players are regrouped for national duties. This is one area we are seriously lacking in. Fiji must also be accustomed to playing possessive style of soccer and not kicking and chasing. It has also been witnessed that players kick the ball outside a lot, especially if they are winning. This is quite common in local football and the national coach Mr Gomel is working extremely hard to introduce such a concept. Most of the soccer fanatics must have witnessed this world cup for a month and one important aspect to note is the possession or ball retention with very few cases of kicking the ball away. Players played and exerted every ounce of their muscles until the final whistle with no signs of muscle fatigue or fitness issues… something our local coaches and players must be aiming for. Best of luck to the Croatians and may they lift the FIFA 2018 World Cup. Naveen Dutt, Wainibokasi
Stop pollution
CAN I plead with the Suva City Council to please send a team of environment officers to advise or screw the heads of fish vendors to stop throwing their rubbish off the seawall into Nubukalou creek? If living creatures around Nubukalou creek could speak, I believe they would tell fish vendors and ocean polluters — aren’t you aware that when you’re feeding us with rubbish, you’re also eating rubbish that’s within us! AREKI DAWAI Suva
Relevant, true
There are moments when you read an article or a letter and the words jump out of the pages because it’s so relevant and true. Uncle Allen’s (since he’s everyone’s uncle on your letters to the editor column) letter on 13/07 not only hit the nail on the head, he nailed it shut. I guess some ministers are still confused if they are called to serve or to be a thug. Sailosi Naewe Naduru Road, Nausori
Symptoms of NCDs
A recent article revealed the increase in the number of people found to have symptoms of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as being overweight, high blood pressure and diabetes. What makes the article even more worrying is the fact that a significant percentage of the reproductive population contribute to the NCD statistics. More young people are found to present these NCD symptoms in comparison with the past where it was not so common. Apart from the rhetoric of genetic explanations by a colleague, changes to lifestyle have contributed immensely to more young people showing signs of these abnormalities, only to find out eventually through clinical diagnosis of NCDs. This worrying statistic is also a regional strategic issue that must be addressed accordingly before it is too late. To reverse the statistic, immediate and effective change is eminent. It’s all about common sense and we have the power to realise this much needed change. A medical physician once told me of an acronym SNAP which means: stop smoking, eat nutritious food, avoid alcohol and too much kava and be physically active. NCDs are preventable and we must all support one another to bring about positive and effective change to our lifestyle. John Heywood once said, “nothing is impossible to a willing heart”. Have a safe and blessed weekend. SPENCER ROBINSON Suva
Party rift
The rift within SODELPA as reported by this newspaper shows the many factions within the party indicated by the stirring and widening rift between the camps. I don’t envy the leader who was appointed. What he should do is to be coherent and compassionate towards the poor and have nots. That seems to be the prevailing ideology now. Amenatave Yaconisau Palm Drive, Delainavesi
Worrying attacks
I was shocked to read that serious concerns continue to be raised regarding the planned attacks and robberies being carried out by some people at night in the heart of Suva City. The targets are people returning from eateries and nightclubs. I also read that spokesperson Ms Naisoro has said their officers were patrolling and while they cannot be everywhere, they are conducting regular patrols especially during times when the Capital City is busy during the weekends. In my opinion the police may not be going full speed ahead with their duties and thus this is happening. Do the thugs know when there is police presence? Do they know the timing of the patrols? May I ask for the officers to get off the cars and walk? Patrolling the places that would be considered high risk should be given priority. If the police cannot do this then they have failed and may I suggest curfews be put in place? CCTVs will be of huge assistance. The police could also deputise people so that their network is much bigger that’s if they “can’t be everywhere”. Now may I ask, how many police officers are on the payroll, and how many are on duty during peak busy periods? My advice is for the police to step up or thuggery will step all over us. ALLEN LOCKINGTON Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka
Down to the final two
Eight teams started this year’s provincial battle. After seven rounds of entertaining and enterprising rugby and the semis last weekend, Suva and the traditional giants of rugby stood the test and will battle each other to lift the prestigious Skipper Cup and handsome prize money. Suva escaped Namosi’s fury with a clinical second-half performance to brush them aside 26-20 while the defending champions ran riot against the Highlanders crushing them 52-19 in a one-sided affair at Prince Charles Park. Today the boys in blue will bank on home support and the fact that they have been putting up a polished effort in every game. Raidre’s men know that Nadroga has found the rhythm that makes them unpredictable as was against Naitasiri. To Nadroga the Skipper Cup has a close bond as the Stallions have been defending their title for the past eight years. Led by Tiko Matawalu and Esala Nauga, Nadroga is coming to wrap-up the title in the Capital City. The boys know that they will have a huge support as buses and minivans will be bringing ardent fans to Suva. I have a feeling that former 7s rep and current Suva mentor Jope Tuikabe has a surprise up his sleeves and I won’t be surprised if the match goes down to the wire. Tuikabe’s recipe is simple – focus on set play and execute set pieces while the Stallions will execute running rugby filled with flair. Suva has not tasted victory for quite some time and the blue brigade will be hungry for an upset. Whatever the scenario is the Skipper Cup should travel to the West and rest in Nadroga. Hakwa Nadro hakwa, tovolea mada! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
JP pay
Could the Government start paying the Justice of the Peace (s) and also provide them an office in all the towns and cities? We can pay our Parliamentarians hefty allowances whenever they move from a point A to a point B, so please pay them. SUKHA SINGH Labasa
Domestic violence
I do not agree with the argument that alcohol is responsible for domestic violence, etc. I have been drinking beer for more than 40 years, yet have never been involved with any violent act. When I started drinking a few beers it cost 40 cents a bottle. Today I am retired and don’t have that much earning, yet I still long for an occasional beer, thanks to the Minister for Economy, I will drink in my dreams now. If beer is the cause of all sorts of problems, why don’t we ban it totally, but then where will the tax income come from? AJAY SINGH Natabua, Lautoka
Soccer World Cup
I hope our Fiji Football Association president comes back with wealth of experience from the above and foremost he implements it here. A. SHARIFF SHAH Savusavu
Fijian made
I believe youths will go for Fijian made initiative which is cheaper and affordable. PITA SOROAQALI Nadarivatu
Cost of living
We all know that our cost of living is so high that most of us are finding it hard to make ends meet. We mostly rely on imported goods and only in Fiji the duty is charged not on the cost of goods but also freight and insurance. One way to bring the cost of goods down is to charge duty on the cost of goods only and I urge the Government to look at this seriously. Let us do something good to ease the pressure on the people so that all of us can put a decent meal on the table for our families. NARDEO MISHRA Suva
Two questions
I have two questions: 1. Do the new water meters installed by WAF calculate usage at a higher rate. 2. Are they calibrated according to the weights and measures law? Very simple questions. ALLEN LOCKINGTON Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka
Corruption issue
I believe corruption is encouraged when society values a man on what he owns and not who he is. DAN URAI Lautoka
