Seating arrangements – DEPESH RAMANLAL VARADOLI, BA
I AM writing to formally express my concern and disappointment regarding the seating arrangements and crowd management during the last two days of the IDC soccer tournament held in Ba. The overall situation was both unsafe and unprofessional. Many patrons, who held general admission tickets, were forced to sit in the VIP section due to the general admission area being overcrowded. This completely disregarded the purpose of ticket categories, devaluing the experience of those who paid significantly more for VIP access. More alarmingly, the exit aisles and stairways were packed with patrons either sitting or standing, making it difficult and, at times, dangerous for people to walk through. I was personally kicked several times by individuals trying to make their way down the stairs, as there was simply no clear or safe path. In the event of an emergency, it is very evident that the crowd would not have been able to evacuate quickly or safely. This represents a serious lapse in crowd control and security, and raises questions about the event’s adherence to basic safety standards. I believe it is clear that the number of tickets sold exceeded the safe capacity of the venue, suggesting that revenue generation may have been prioritised over patron comfort and safety. This is deeply concerning and unacceptable for an event of this scale and reputation. Additionally, if all seats were indeed numbered as claimed, why were seat numbers not printed on general admission tickets? This lack of proper seating allocation only added to the confusion and disorder. I request a clear explanation on how this situation was allowed to happen, and what measures Fiji Football intends to take to ensure that future events do not compromise the safety and experience of attendees.
Homegrown talent – SHALWYN PRASAD MUKTA BEN PLACE, NABUA, SUVA
OUR salute and accolades to Ba president Praneel Dayal and his management team for spearheading Ba’s comeback in local football. His passion for the sport remains unparallel. The revival and energy he created leading up to the IDC is admirable, in a short period of time. He is a man of action, not words and he deserves every praise and thank you from every soccer fan. Taking full ownership of the final loss with all he gave personally is immaculate. Mr Dayal has switched his focus on the year 2026 without wasting any time and energy and not losing any hope and passion at all. True son of soccer made in Ba for Fiji. To all other districts, agree Rewa and Labasa are consistent teams but the question is where are your top 11 home grown players to lead the chase to glory? Most districts had imported players that assisted with the glory. On the contrary Ba had the most home grown talent on display. This is the winner in soccer Mr Dayal, 100 percent guaranteed. To the passionate 13,000 crowd in the final, you are the winners. Soccer is the winner and I will continue to advocate for home grown talent in sports. Joka dina Ba. Cauravou kaukauwa kece. To Raymond the legend voice of soccer, transistor radio remains a hit with your voice, not forgetting his right hand man Irfan.
Certain traits – AREKI DAWAI SUVA
IN plain sight, I believe all political parties in this three-wheeler Coalition Government have certain traits. If I may, one which is likely a theatrical party, even has their macho leader’s neck on the leash yet soundly playing his cards artfully. An articulate and detailed leader he is, best give him more salusalu with lots of uci scent. Well, the other party I suppose that makes headlines for the wrong reason out of the bush is the one and only SODELPA hierarchy who embroiled themselves for so many wrong reasons and at times forgetting who is the loudest or the decision maker within. Even their executive party members at times tend to forget their job description, oh my lawd. The other party which has the mynahs eye is just trolling along, acts like a fox at times and smartly going on in between the two. I like how they orchestrate their move since their DPM is a well processing machinist. At last we have the opposition who has lost their captain and commander yet, are finding every leeway to keep the government of the day in check. Good job everyone!
Cold cases – SELWA NANDAN LAUTOKA
IN April this year we were informed by the Police Commissioner that a special police unit would be set up to reopen investigation into cold cases. I wonder if there has been any progress on unresolved murder cases pending for so many years. They are getting colder and colder as the families of the victims wait in despair for justice.
Congratulations Rewa – FARAAZ BAITUL KHAN TOKO, TAVUA
CONGRATULATIONS to the Rewa team for winning the Fiji Football Inter District Championship (IDC). Rewa has won the IDC in 2025 after 15 years. This year Rewa also won the National Premier League trophy back to back and also played in the finals of two other major football tournaments in Fiji. These achievements make Rewa the most consistent football team in Fiji at the moment.
World Cup – DONALD SINGH SUVA
CAPE Verde with a population of 525,000 has qualified for next year’s Soccer World Cup. The gang at Fiji Football Association might go, yeah so?
Through to the WC – RAJEND NAIDU SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
WHEN will Fiji soccer qualify for the WC and bring us the joy that Cape Verde has brought its people numbering only 525,000?
Find a solution – NISHANT SINGH LAUTOKA
HOW much longer must the people of Fiji, especially our painstaking cane farmers, who toil the land day and night, endure the ongoing failures of leadership in the sugar industry? What was once a proud backbone and pillar of our national economy has been reduced to a shadow of its former self, and yet not a single Sugar Minister (past and current) has been held subjectively accountable for the collapse. Perhaps it’s time for The Fiji Times to run a public survey — let the common people name who they believe was the worst-performing and least effective Sugar Minister. The poll results will be intriguing, particularly if a certain individual from the “friendly North” makes the cut. On a more serious note, it is staggering that the Fiji Sugar Corporation, a company in financial and operational free fall, continues to be chaired by someone who resides in New Zealand. How can some unfamiliar individual lead a crisishit local industry from the comforts of a foreign land? How does this reflect the Government’s priorities when it comes to fixing this unimaginable mess and neglect? Would we accept this sort of questionable arrangement in the health or education sector? Certainly not! Then why in the ailing sugar industry which still sustains thousands of improvised Fijian families? This is not just a matter of poor optics. I believe it’s a reflection of a deeper dysfunction, a leadership culture that rewards connections over competence, and excuses over accountability. Isn’t that correct Charan Jeath Singh? The sugar industry doesn’t need more media spins filled with blame games. Farmers do not care “who slammed who” (FT 14/10). This is not WWE! They need leaders and forward thinkers, who are present, capable, and willing to face the consequences of failure. Let’s stop pretending that the problems are technical. They are very much politically affiliated and deeply personal for the communities affected. With no direction and optimism, the current crop of leaders of the once booming industry, including the minister responsible, has proven to be an epic disaster!
Scaling of marks – TAHIR ALI HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND
THE school policy on scaling of marks (FT 13/10) could boost academic results. It may also improve underachievers. I feel if not rightly screened or assessed, it could also lead to disadvantaged students failing further behind, to stress and load on teachers. Students are challenged to excel but situations differ where they are exposed to different environments with resources as expected internationally. Take up the challenges to work towards your goals. It’s never too late to be what you might have been.
Australian story! – RONNIE CHANG MARTINTAR, NADI
ISN’T it amazing to note, Australia has about 4000 sugar cane farmers who harvest between 32 to 35-million tonnes of sugar cane. This produces 4 to 4.5million tonnes of raw cane sugar. How do Fiji’s statistics compare? I understand Fiji in 2023, had about 10,000 sugar cane farmers. How much sugar cane was harvested and sugar yielded, in recent 15 years or so? I do not think the true figures are anything to brag about. Can the FSC try to take one page from Australia’s success sugarcane story? Fiji continues to “pump” millions of dollars over the past 20-30 years into an industry that is slowly and steadily slipping into a deep crevasse. Our century-old sugar mills have been totally overworked beyond acceptable levels of reasonable productivity, in my view. Fiji, at some point, must begin to think, do due diligence, get necessary financing terms and conditions, to invest in a new compact modern sugar mill, for starters. We cannot keep “flogging” our old work “horses” which are a century old. Their prime working days expired some decades ago. This is the harsh reality. Believe it or not.
Corporal punishment – WISE MUAVONO BALAWA, LAUTOKA
WHY have a national conversation on corporal punishment when it is common knowledge that classroom behaviour had deteriorated since the abolition of corporal punishment? It is inevitable that bad classroom behaviour has filtered into life outside school. The no smacking rule is turning some children into little monsters. Sobo!
National conversation – RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM NADAWA, NASINU
THE Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection convened the National Conversation on Corporal Punishment on Monday October 13, 2025. Key representatives from the education, justice, psychology, and faith sectors converged and met to discuss effective, evidence-based approaches to child discipline in Fiji. I’m glad that the Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran highlighted the growing challenges faced by teachers across the country, particularly in classrooms where students came from diverse backgrounds and brought differing values and behavioural norms. I’m thankful that this national conversation will provide a platform to explore the options available to our educators to consider what support systems are needed to help them manage our children better. Thank you, Hon Kiran, for reassuring educators that the ministry recognised their commitment and would work to strengthen child protection systems to better support both teachers and families. Dialogue is a must as we aim to address negative behaviour in children. We can’t leave this unattended to as it will have drastic consequences on teaching and learning in schools, communities and societies. Let’s build better leaders!
