Letters to the Editor – September 14, 2020

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Action between Nadroga and Suva at the ANZ Stadium in Suva Picture: ELIKI NUKUTABU/FILE

Blues tame the Stallions

THE much-awaited Suva vs Nadroga match was a cracker and kept fans at the edge of their seats. The 22-0 lead to the hosts did not dampen the Stallions’ spirits as the visitors came from behind to take the lead 26-22. Within 15 minutes, Nadroga had piled 16 points and had the Stallions not made the two crucial errors in their own 22 that led to Suva’s tries, they had the game in the bag. The bonus-point win ensured that Suva topped the points table. The Stallions were lucky not to concede any more points or else they would have lost the bonus point. My buddy and our letter to the editor writer Alipate Tuberi had the last laugh as Suva secured five points from the thriller. Jo Makaba and Wise Koroiwasa were full of smiles as well while Tuinuku and I kept wondering what went wrong. For me, Suva’s James Brown and Misaele Petero and Nadroga’s Manu Ratuniyarawa and Mesake Tuinamena stood out with their sublime performances. Nadro lost but the way they came back into the game won hearts. Hakwa Nadro hakwa! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Balgovind Rd, Nadawa, Nasinu

Skipper Cup

The Capital City Suva rugby side trounced the Stallions in their Skipper Cup match at the ANZ Stadium in Suva on Saturday. It’s not quite often that we see the boys from the Capital City put on such a wonderful and brilliant performance against a champion team such as Nadroga. The coaching panel and the whole team must be credited for coming up with a tactful plan and executing it well too. Before leaving their camp in Sigatoka, I don’t think the Nadroga camp would have thought that they would be outclassed and overpowered by Suva on Saturday. The 32-26 scoreline favouring Suva speaks volumes of their dominance in the game. At Prince Charles Park in Nadi, it was a sweet victory for the home team who defeated visitors Yasawa 19-7. On the other hand, it wasn’t so sweet for Lautoka who, playing on their home turf, could not hold the onslaught unleashed by the Naitasiri outfit. Namosi, rising from its loss to Nadi earlier on, defeated Tailevu 21-15. While we wait for the next round of the Skipper Cup to unfold, let’s hope fans continue to support their teams as they have done so far. Thank you FRU for organising and running the competition so well. SURESH CHAND Nadi

True to the Blues

JUST wow! That is all I could say about yesterday’s thrilling encounter between arch rivals Nadroga and Suva at the ANZ Stadium. Since kick off, Suva was predominant in literally all passages of play that saw them keep the Stallions scoreless during the first 40 While trailing; the Stallions’ resilience was to be expected in the second half. As it turned out, the Stallions did not disappoint. They clawed their way back into the game and ultimately led until the last quarter of the euphoric match that saw the city boys edge Nadroga, walking away with a scintillating victory. My mate Rajnesh Ishwar had earlier in the week warned me of a Stallions onslaught! And I’m glad that the Suva boys did not succumb to that and fought throughout, lasting until the full 80. Prior to kick off, a moment of silence was observed in honour of the late Lemeki Koroi. Once again a huge thank you to both teams for a field day of activities. Toso Suva! #BluesAllDay ALIPATE TUBERI, Suva

Clearing campaign

AS we approach the next cyclone season, I thought that it might be useful and productive to have in place a concerted and organised obstruction and debris clearing campaign around the country. I am suggesting this as a nationwide proactive strategy, so as to rid and clean out things in our environment that may become a hindrance and obstruction during a cyclone and which may cause costly and unnecessary damage and blockages, if not cleared away. Some examples include overgrown foliage on our roadsides; huge trees with branches dangerously close to residences, other buildings and utilities; debris blocking drains, culverts, waterways and water catchment areas; as well as other obstructions to movement and transportation at our jetties and airstrips and the function of essential services, and so on. Inclusive in this, is to ensure that the dredging of our rivers and waterways is also part of a nationwide regular program. I am aware that some entities such as EFL and municipal councils do have such campaigns in place but I am suggesting a total nationwide approach that ropes in all entities as well as the general public and that it operationalises in the months leading up to the cyclone season, like now for instance. I firmly believe that it is better to be proactive and cost effective, rather than to be reactive and be a costly burden to our economy. I am also of the view that such proactiveness will help to nurture and develop national pride and ownership among our people while helping to maintain a clean and debris-free environment. EDWARD BLAKELOCK Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour

Alcohol prices

I WAS intrigued by the bold move of the Government in reducing alcohol prices severely across the country. Even though the move is to benefit the businesses in terms of earning better returns during these trying times, I very much disagree with it. With the increase in domestic violence in Fiji, and teenagers abusing alcohol, I believe the low price of alcohol in some ways encourages these heinous crimes. Most domestic violence cases are related to drinking problems leading to heated arguments between couples while teenagers and young drinkers abuse alcohol and lose their path to righteousness. Instead of decreasing the price of this luxury good, the Government could have helped the economically-impacted families by decreasing the costs of necessity goods like flour, rice, and other basic food items. They could also look into fluctuating the house rental as many tenants pay more than what they earn due to the drop in their incomes. At the same time some landlords are facing the brunt of this economic crisis. Those landlords who have rental income as their only source are facing emphatic impacts. My idea is for the Government to look into the sectors that actually need attention. RAYNAV CHAND Nakasi

The punch

MY Oxford dictionary defines a punch as “strike with the fist”. A punch is a punch regardless of whether it is thrown in rugby union, rugby league, hockey, tennis, basketball, volleyball, netball, swimming etc. It perplexes me to see that rugby league thinks that it is OK to punch a referee during a game. Rugby league, by accepting this young player into their team, is condoning such behaviour (FT 09/09) for actions speak louder than words. I believe rugby union took into consideration his young age and gave him a six-year ban and not life ban from playing rugby. It appears that there is confusion between the words underdog and indiscipline. And it brings to memory the maxim that “rugby is a game for gentlemen played by hooligans”. KORINA WAIBUTA Knollys St, Suva

Outrageous claim

WHAT an outrageous claim by Sharif Shah (ST 13/09) that the media should not report on rape, murder and theft because it is exposing “man’s failures”. Certainly, it would be pleasant not to have to be confronted every day by the wrongdoings of fellow human beings, but unlike what he believes, as with the pandemic, this is certainly not a way to control such crimes. Furthermore, the police and security forces rely on the public to assist them in solving crimes or else the perpetrators would continue to evade authorities and continue to offend. There would no longer be “Crime Stoppers”. In a democratic state, it is the right of the public to be aware of events, favourable or unfavourable as well as being the role of a responsible media to report on such events. The public needs to know what is taking place in their community, in their country, in the region and around the world to be informed and aware so that way the public can be thinking and questioning beings. If the media is tasked with reporting only on the pleasantries of life, one day this naïve mindset will come-up and bight those like the aforementioned writer on the proverbial. JULIE SUTHERLAND Tamavua, Suva

Curfew violators

IN regards to September 13, 2020, news COVID-19: 40 arrested in the last 48 hours. We have been reading similar news since the curfew was imposed, but these lawbreakers still do not understand or learn from others to obey the law. Government has enforced this curfew for the common good to protect humans from COVID-19 possible infections. They are doing their part, but why can’t the masses obey these enforcements. Do they not love their freedom to move freely without a mask in Fiji? Do they not learn from conditions in COVID-19-infected nations? Why do they put the health safety of themselves, their family members and their fellow citizen at risk? Fiji is fortunate to move around freely, just imagine about Australia, New Zealand, Europe and South Asia nations who have imposed immense restrictions and are fighting a battle against the pandemic. Be rational and stop breaking the curfew. DR SAKUL KUNDRA Lautoka

NFP report

THE multi-talented Registrar of Political Parties deserves to be commended for his accounting acumen to find flaws in an already audited financial reports of the National Federation Party. It is strange that these flaws escaped the scrutiny of the auditor who initially signed off these reports. BHARAT MORRIS Gold Coast, Australia

Sunday noise

AS a concerned resident of Levuka, I wish to bring to your attention the noise jarring from the private party hosted at Levuka Club. This has spoilt our peaceful Sunday afternoon and hopefully authorities will look into the plight of nearby residents who are still reeling from the service station being built in front of the club. BILL KUNAVATU Misson Hill, Levuka

Right to protest

I’VE seen pictures in The Fiji Times where USP students protested during the recent events at the university. I assumed they had a right to protest. Do school students have the right to protest? It would appear from the suspension of RKS students that they don’t have this right. There will always be a proper channel for raising grievances, but will there always be a right to protest? RUSSELL FONG Kapadia Pl, Raiwai

USP crisis

IT seems that some office holders are yet to be satisfied and to fathom the new changes that have been made by the management. Disconnect or connect, when some can’t get what they wanted, it would be best if the old horses give way to the new ones to have a jump start and a clean slate on the running of the university. It has become a nuisance and an embarrassment when anomalies are surfacing from within the highest educational institution here at home. AREKI DAWAI Suva

Suva scrum

IT is amazing how the Suva rugby team has turned around it’s scrummaging woes in a couple of weeks. MOHAMMED IMRAZ JANIF Natabua, Lautoka

Reality check

IT’S time to accept reality. The borders will not open any time soon. 2021 will be a really challenging year when FNPF assistance runs out and self sustenance will be the only way forward. DAN URAI Lautoka

Success

SUCCESS demands action and implementation with transformation, and not just discussion, introspection and contemplation. MAHARAJ KUMARI BHINDI Laucala Beach Estate, Nasinu

Adoption

IT is sad to learn of the trauma that Jagmeet Singh’s overseas adoption caused him (FT 07/09). As a welfare officer who dealt with inter-country adoptions in Fiji for over two decades, I know of many children who have benefited greatly with the life opportunities that have come their way through adoption. The advancement of the welfare and best interest of the adopted child is the principal consideration in formalising an adoption. Many applications for adoption are turned down for not meeting that critical criteria. There are no guarantees in life with a natural family. There are similarly no guarantees in life with adoptive families. RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, Australia

Clean-up time

IT’S time they are sent to the dry cleaner. DAN URAI Lautoka

Viriviri for Fiji

AFTER being part of the Fiji Police Force passing-out parade at Nasova Grounds, Samisoni Viriviri has set his sights on playing for the Fiji team. The 2014 World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year looked fit and trim and I’m sure he has regained his burning legs that made him scoop the Best Sevens Player Award in 2014. Viriviri and Jerry Tuwai were bestowed with the award while the likes of Semi Kunatani and Osea Kolinisau missed out. Congratulations Sami and all the best! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Balgovind Rd, Nadawa, Nasinu

 

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