Men in Black reign at Subrail Park
The Roylux Ba football team reigned at Subrail Park. You can’t blame them for the wild celebrations, singing and dancing as they ended a 51-year-old drought at Subrail Park and a 16-year-old Fiji FACT drought. President Praneel Dayal led the celebration as he became the president who ended both the droughts. Coach Ravinesh Kumar’s tactics paid off as he led the Men in Black to victory. My good friend, Master Timoci Seru, was on cloud nine as he was part of the victory celebrations. After losing 2-0 to Lautoka, Ba came under pressure, but they did not give up. They qualified from their pool to set up a fierce semi-final against Labasa, but Etonia Dogalau broke the hearts of the hosts as he scored the stunning goal. In the final Isikeli Seva Jr, whose father Isikeli Seva was present at Subrail Park, stood out for Ba in goal against Navua in penalties. History unfolded on Sunday. The last time Ba won the Fiji FACT was way back in 2010 at Churchill Park. They defeated Labasa 1-0 in the semis, while Navua beat hosts Lautoka 2-1. The winning goal was scored by Avinesh Waran Suwamy in the 49th minute. Ba received an ovation at the Nadi International Airport and amidst much joy, the trophy was escorted to the football crazy town. Dayal has rejuvenated football not only in Ba but in Fiji. In a short time, he has made Ba a professional outfit in terms of their structure, playing and training gear, social media releases and player welfare. He is an asset to Fiji, and we need someone like him at FFA. As I conclude, I congratulate Ba and impressive young midfielder Ryan Naresh, who walked away with the Golden Ball Award, John Orobulu, who took the Golden Boot Award, and Isikeli Seva Jr, who scooped the Golden Glove Award. To the Ba officials, players and loyal supporters, savour and cherish this moment, for it has taken a long time. Ba toh Ba hai! Cheers! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Glory days are returning
I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Ba team for their remarkable victory in the 2026 BiC Fiji FACT, triumphing over tournament favorites Navua in the final. This hard-earned achievement is a testament to the dedication and effort of the entire group involved, all of whom deserve immense gratitude and recognition. The glory days of this soccer-passionate town are truly being revived. Special appreciation goes out to the players and coaching staff for securing this outstanding win. Well done, Ba. Ba to Ba hai! Suresh Chand Nadi
Internet connection
I would like to bring to the attention of the relevant authorities the ongoing issue of inadequate mobile network and internet connectivity in Nadi. Even though Nadi is one of Fiji’s top tourist spots, it still suffers from inconsistent network coverage. This situation creates difficulties for tourists who rely on mobile services for various needs such as communication, navigation, digital payments, and emergency help. Furthermore, it impacts local residents, students, and businesses that depend on a stable internet connection for their everyday operations. Therefore, I strongly urge the relevant authorities and telecom service providers to take prompt action to enhance the network infrastructure and guarantee dependable connectivity throughout the country. Implementing such improvements will not only benefit the tourism sector but also foster local development and enhance public convenience. I genuinely hope that this issue will receive the immediate attention it rightfully requires. Suresh Chand Nadi
Recompense for strikers
An allocation of $14.9million has been made in the 2026-2027 National Budget to be paid as compensation relating to the 35-year-old Vatukoula Gold Mine Strike. $24.69million was allocated in the last budget (FT 27/6). It is not known whether this is the final payment. I believe the former mine workers went on strike in 1991 to seek justice pertaining to their employment terms and conditions. In doing so they exercised their right to protest against their employer which at the time was an Australian registered mining company operating as Emperor Gold Mining Company. Subsequently the ownership of the mine has changed hands several times. It completely baffles me why the taxpayers have to pay for this compensation when it was an industrial dispute between the employees and the employer The Government did not have any share in the company. Equally strange is why this matter was not resolved with the company before the ownership changed hands. The intervention from the Government may be justified on humanitarian grounds but hasn’t it set a precedent. SELWA NANDAN Lautoka
Rail demolition
Dr Sushil Sharma (letters 29/06) has nailed it with his remarks on FSC and the gradual abandonment of rail transport for sugar. However, his remarks: “The tramlines still exist, the sleepers still exist, the corridors still exist”, are rapidly becoming memories. Resorts have been built over the tramlines at Natadola, Grace Roads Group have fenced off and removed the lines at Yadua, villagers have also fenced off the lines and are planting between the lines and of course Sigatoka Town Council has ripped up the line termination at Sigatoka and uses the site as a car park. Infrastructure, so difficult to construct, so easy to lose. Terry Hulme Russell St., Eastwood, Australia
Cane harvesting
After reading through Dr Sushil Kumar’s LTE, 29/06, on the cost involved in transporting harvested sugar cane to the mills, it is understandable why many farmers are reluctant to begin harvesting. There needs to be an investigation on why FSC discontinued the rail system in transporting sugar cane to the mills. Rakesh Chand Sharma Nadi
Rugby tour
What I do not understand, is when we want to tour North, to Europe, it only takes a week and less to prepare a national team to play test matches. I guess, we are marching straight into a slaughterhouse. Please prepare well and don’t expect miracles to happen. So as you train, so shall you fight. Jioji O. Toronibau Navetau, Tunuloa
Ba wins
Congratulations Ba! As Navua surprised all sports fans. A lucky win to maintain your saying… Ba toh Ba hai! Best wishes. We all are winners. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
$18.2m threshold
With the PM announcing that Fiji has crossed the threshold which enables an election to be held, Government can give a sigh of relief that a by-election, [Fiji constitution 64.(2)&(3)] will now no longer be required should an independent member of parliament resign his seat. A by-election is virtually a full election in terms of FEO involvement, which would cost millions. Terry Hulme Russell St, Eastwood, Australia
Budget, FNPF pension
Budget ignores economic realities
The Fiji Trades Union Congress (FTUC) National Secretary, Felix Anthony, hit the nail on the head regarding the 2026/2027 National Budget. I believe this budget clearly demonstrates that the Coalition Government has chosen to favour corporate interests over the welfare of ordinary, struggling workers. It is deeply disappointing that while the Government moved with lightning speed to shield big businesses from the fuel crisis, it completely turned its back on the working class. Leaving the national minimum wage stagnant while setting aside a mere $100,000 for “further consultations” is a slap in the face to families drowning in the high cost of living. Workers do not need more talk or endless reviews; they need immediate financial relief to put food on the table today. Worse still is the temporary 2 percentage point reduction in the employer FNPF contribution rate, dropping it from 10 per cent to 8 per cent. As the FTUC rightly pointed out, this is effectively a 2 per cent pay cut disguised as economic policy. It robs workers of hundreds of millions of dollars in collective retirement savings just to pad corporate balance sheets. To top it off, the budget offers no new imaginative relief, relying instead on recycled measures from previous years while ignoring outstanding promises, like the long-overdue compensation for terminated Water Authority of Fiji workers. A true “People’s Government” protects its workforce. This Coalition has shown it lacks the political will to do so, and Fijians will certainly remember who stood by them—and who abandoned them—when they head to the polls. Dr Sushil K Sharma Lautoka
Making the difference
This letter lends support to Colin Deoki’s appeal (ST June 28) for the Government to compensate those elderly pensioners who were ordered by the then government to either reduce one’s pension contributions or make a lump sum withdrawal from their FNPF contributions. Many pensioners who opted to withdraw have been shortchanged because of the move. Suddenly any interests that would have been accredited to their contribution, had they not been coerced to withdraw, is no more. That been said, it is the duty of any government to take up the slack and ensure that its citizens are looked after. Unfortunately, in the recent budget announced, this government of the day once again elected not to recompensate those members. Instead, it has the gall to announce that a 9.5 % interest will be accredited to current member accounts only. The current government may do well to consider that those unfortunate pensioners have long memories and are also voters in the next upcoming general election. And furthermore, they have their extended families, friends, supporters whose votes they may influence. Surely, a small percentage of that 9.5% to the pensioners may make all the difference when the votes are counted. William Rosa Ba
