Victorious Nadi team
Now that the prestigious Holy Grail of Fiji rugby has been successfully claimed by Jetset Jacks Nadi, the real hard job begins.
The men from the Capital City Suva will be motivated and determined to wrest this silverware from the new champion, Nadi’s first defence.
The entire vanua of Nadi needs to be firmly united and rally behind the new holders.
The new champions definitely need every support possible.
Our chiefs and their people should stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our victorious team, each day going forward, in my view.
The new champs need to properly feed each day… body, health, spiritual and mind.
The vanua must provide wholesome meals and refreshments in keeping with proper and professional dietary requirements.
Physios play a very important role.
First aid is equally important.
Medical assistance is paramount.
The huge task has just begun.
Sa vina du va levu vo mutou na leda saravou ena waqe qaqa i na rara i Ratu Cakobau Park i Nausori.
Me lemutou vali na Kalougata ena sotasota di warakinia.
Toso Nadi, toso.
Ronnie Chang, Martintar, Nadi
Jetsetters dethrone highlanders!
Memories of the playing days of the likes of Senivalati Laulau, Manasa Qoro, Esala Labalaba, Peceli Gale, Ilami Lutumailagi, Savenaca Aria, Asaeli Hughes, Ilaitia Savai and Opeti Turuva, came to the fore as Nadi dethroned Naitasiri as holders of the Inkk Farebrother Sulivan Trophy.
The jetsetters clinched the trophy after beating the highlanders 14-12.
The boot of Tevita Mociu proved vital as he booted the jetsetters to victory.
The last battle between the sides saw Nadi taking out the match in a close contest 32-31.
The sin binning of Naitasiri prop Inoke Ravuiwasa proved critical as Nadi converted a penalty and scored a try.
Trailing Nadi 8-0, Naitasiri had to dig deep and their positive attitude resulted in tries to Jone Naqiri and Kini Douglas.
Naitasiri had the upper hand 12-8.
However, Mociu kicked two penalties to hand Nadi the prestigious title, which they will defend against Suva, which went down to Rewa 24-21.
I was happy that the Stallions managed to beat Namosi 29-3.
I also congratulate Tailevu for beating Northland 30-21!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
Awareness
I thank Mr Nacuva for his contribution (04/06) and I do share the same sentiments.
However, what’s worrying right now is, if awareness has been conducted in our villages and communities to get all eligible Fijian voters to vote in the upcoming general election.
The Fijian Elections Office has been actively conducting its awareness programs on the election procedures and processes.
What about the importance of getting our people to participate in this process?
Has any organisation conducted awareness sessions in villages and communities on the need to get our people to know which party to support, let alone which candidate to vote for?
Has any organisation educated vulnerable members of our community on the need to carefully and vigilantly monitor political parties, their manifesto, who their candidates are and which constituency they represent?
With the general election bound to take place anytime soon, it is crucial that we get this exercise executed as soon as possible.
Fulori Turaga, Nadi
Lives lost
Last week, we read and heard of a few murders that happened locally.
It was so sad and disheartening to know that innocent lives are lost in such manner.
Firstly, the 17-year-old student was allegedly murdered.
Then came the news of a body found on the Rewa River and now the body found in a farm in Vanua Levu.
What is happening, Fiji?
Violence is never the answer.
Everyone has problems in life and there are proper avenues and means to solve issues.
Killing someone does not solve anything.
I believe that all scriptures in this world regard murder as the highest degree sin.
Maybe our laws in this regard needs reviewing and amending.
Harsher punishments should be awarded to murderers so much to discourage anyone else who may ever decide to commit this heinous crime in future.
DINESH KUMAR, Ba
‘Plant rice’
The Fiji Times editorial comments by Fred Wesley (FT 3/6) that it’s time for us to be a bit more versatile and extend our arms past tourism and the sugar industry should be welcome news for those who do not feel confident to continue making a living from these industries.
It’s encouraging to see the picture of agriculture officers in ongoing research on rice planting (FT 3/6).
As agriculture is the backbone of the country, every effort should be taken by all concerned towards promoting the use of land appropriately with modern approach.
This will also help us fight inflation in crisis and global warming towards food security.
Let’s all not forget that cultivation of land is the most economical growth for our country.
“Talk does not cook rice” – Chinese proverb.
Tahir Ali, Hamilton, New Zealand
Refocused
I see Simon Hazelman is still at it trying to defend the status quo in Fiji politics (FT 2/6).
In America the people wanted change so after president Trump’s one four-year term in office they replaced him with President Biden.
Similarly in Australia PM Scott Morrison’s one term as PM came to an end when Australians voted for change and elected Anthony Albanese.
Unlike their predecessors the new leaders in both the countries have pledged to put climate change right on top of their government agenda.
This refocused priority on climate change will benefit vulnerable Pacific island countries including Fiji.
Now why shouldn’t the people of Fiji have the benefit of political change, if that is what they desire?
Simon should keep an open mind about political change.
It’s an integral part of the democratic system of governance.
Without it democracy is at risk of degenerating into a dictatorship as we have seen happening in African and Arab countries.
We don’t want that, do we Simon?
Rajend Naidu, Sydney, Australia
Ticket sales
We were well informed about ticket sales relating to the two Fijian Drua matches which were played in Fiji.
I think they were both sellouts.
Now that the first local soccer tournament for 2022 is over, I wonder if there would be a release about how ticket sales were like over three weekends.
Mohammed Imraz Janif, Natabua, Lautoka
Men’s crisis
What about an idea of a men’s crisis centre?
In my opinion, in this world of competing rights and the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbating men’s challenges and problems, a men’s crisis centre would be ideal.
We have long heard expressions such as patriarchal system, male dominance and many others pertaining to male supremacy.
No doubt, there are fundamental changes in the way society operates now.
Just like they always say, unprecedented situation demands unprecedented measures.
Pranil Ram, Votualevu, Nadi
Battleground
It appears to me that a portion of this column is turning into a battleground between FFP and PA/NFP supporters.
This in some strange way reminds me of a game called pen fight.
Mohammed Imraz Janif, Natabua, Lautoka
Stop violence
DV, it ends with me.
Stop violence against women and girls.
My one sentence simple awareness campaign.
Jioji M Cakacaka, Tadra- Votualevu, Nadi
High costs
I read with interest Tarun Tikaram’s view (FT/5/6) regarding the inability of the FijiFirst Government to control high cost of living because of external factors and the inability of the FF Government to control freight and fuel costs.
I believe there are many ways to mitigate high cost of living without any supermarket running bankrupt.
The problem is Government not seeking help where their capability is limited.
The threat to the nation is FF taking it deeper into debt.
How Tarun and Simon cannot see that is cause for worry.
Dan Urai, Lautoka
Post elections
What would be the underlying reason, for a post – election coalition?
Is it to benefit the general public, or just the political parties?
Are coalitions better before the election becomes the inevitable question.
The prevailing political situation, plays a large part in the final determination.
Edward Blakelock, Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour
Cannot fool all
The reaction of several letter writers (FT 4/6) to PM Bainimarama’s claim that his Government has best managed the economy compared with all past governments, reminds me of the famous Abraham Lincoln quote: “You can fool some of the people all the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time”.
Rajend Naidu, Sydney, Australia
Power hungry
Simon Hazelman says that power hungry people will do anything to get into power.
I believe all those who are in politics, want to win and winning means to automatically be in power.
So, does he mean the same for FijiFirst?
Every one who joins any race, would always expect to win.
Does it mean they are power hungry?
He further goes on to say that Professor Biman Prasad knows he cannot become the prime minister so he does not have a choice.
Really?
Knowing that he cannot be in the main front yet continues the fight, makes him and Mr Rabuka power hungry only because he is not Mr Hazelman’s choice like some others.
As for the changes that are being questioned by him about how the nation will prosper should NFP /The People’s Alliance come into power is something that he should have known by now by observing the present Government, how wonders work with power.
Except the definition of “wonders” can be different for different parties.
Most are ready for a change which is evident.
There is nothing about underestimating the ruling party who despite having this huge debt, continue to fight for power.
So who is real power hungry?
Now who is kidding who?
I wish you good health Mr Hazelman.
Kirti Patel, Lautoka
Bad practice
Fans of high-quality football know about the unforgettable matches between Germany and Italy.
On Sunday morning there was opportunity to see the two teams playing in the European Nations League.
Sky Pacific had included the match in its program scheduled to start broadcast at 6.30am.
Everything went well until soon after half-time the broadcast stopped, and Super Rugby Brumbies against Hurricanes was shown.
Not too bad, but actually I did not get up on a Sunday at 6am to see a rugby match which I saw the night before.
I wanted to see the football match, from start until the final whistle.
Nobody, also not Sky Pacific support staff could tell me, why the broadcast of the football match ended abruptly and prematurely.
This was not the first time.
I remember an occasion when broadcast stopped in the middle of a penalty shootout, when everybody was excited to learn the outcome of a final, just a few minutes away.
At least I expect to learn about the reason the match ended so indelicately.
I missed both goals, but I learnt how disorganised Sky Pacific can be.
It took ages before I could speak with someone at the helpline.
Maybe I was not the only one who felt that what happened was extremely bad practice.
Well, I hope that Sky Pacific takes my letter as stimulation to inform me and others of the reason.
Eberhard H. Weber, PhD, Suva
