January’s best
The hard work and dedication put on the field by Wellington Phoenix goal-scoring sensation Roy Krishna has culminated in him walking away with the Professional Footballers Australia Player of the Month Award for January.
It’s indeed a proud moment for FFA, Roy, his family and his fans locally and overseas as the former ‘Babasiga Lion’ enjoys a fantastic start to the Hyundai A-League, where Roy has netted 12 goals in 19 appearances and scored twice in 3 consecutive games.
Roy continues to mesmerise soccer lovers with his deft skills and ability to strike under some difficult circumstances.
On the other hand, it would be fitting for our wonder boy to be part of the FFA Awards Night.
What say FFA!
All the best Roy!
As I conclude, I also congratulate Veitokani after he was named the Paddy Irish Whiskey Man of the Match for London Irish against Coventry!
Veitokani no doubt would have been an asset for our 7s team!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
Phoenix star
Roy Krishna was the star of the Wellington Phoenix as he claimed the PFA Player of the Month award.
It was another proud moment for all Fijians as the news came at a time when Fiji was uniting its sporting organisations.
He has been an inspiration for all in his homeland and he continues to show the world what a “Fijian blood” can achieve when given the proper training facilities and equipment at the professional level.
Congratulations on your achievement legend!
Raynav Chand, Nakasi
Plea for footpath
We have footpaths on both sides of Vomo St right from Drasa Ave in the city to Sukanaivalu Rd at Drasa Vitogo.
Many people are delighted.
In Waiyavi, when it rains people walk on the road because there are no footpaths.
The grass is wet, muddy and yucky to walk on, especially when you go to work or school in the mornings.
We await the day when Waiyavi will have just one side of the road that will have a footpath lining the roads so that we too can feel counted.
Allen Lockington, Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka
Obesity issue
Obesity is highly prevalent.
Why?
Because obesity is very easy to catch!
They can’t run very fast.
Not good.
Then again, you have got to “run” after the good things.
Like, I mean, you not getting it if you just “weight”.
Obesity will turn around and catch you then, for sure.
Manoj Lal Patel, Drasa Ave, Lautoka
Taking the lead
I overheard this on the radio and later read it on print and am quietly pleased that an employer has taken time to understand his workers and used available resources to address issues his workforce was faced with.
High absenteeism was seen as an opportunity to improve the livelihood for many women by the setting up of the childcare facility.
I hope this sets a precedent for other workplaces.
The workplace should not only be seen as a money-making machine but a place where employees are cared for.
When employees know they are cared for and their contribution recognised, they will be productive and efficient, there’s no doubt about that.
Well done to Mark Halabe and the Australian government for their assistance.
Sailosi Naewe, Naduru Rd, Nausori
Agriculture business
The Minister for Agriculture, Mahendra Reddy, in his visit to Macuata recently stated that we need to treat agriculture as a business (FT 18/02).
That really goes without saying, we either cultivate to make money or we don’t cultivate at all.
When it comes to the business end of agriculture, much needs to change, especially with the sale of farmers’ produce.
As it is, it is not only difficult but almost impossible for many farmers to generate enough income to survive, and this is mainly because of the influence of middlemen who keep a tight squeeze on farmers.
Our municipal town markets are pretty much run by middlemen, who, with the way in which they control agricultural business, benefits the most instead of the farmers.
The farmers do the hard work and invest the most and they ought to reap all its benefits.
Middlemen, on the other hand, basically do nothing except to buy as cheaply as they can from farmers and sell at the maximum.
Farmers will not be able to run as a business while middlemen have control over their produce.
If you really want to see farmers run their farms as a business, Mr Reddy, then get rid of middlemen and support the farmers through to the end where they can sell their produce at municipal markets at a fair price.
Support the farmers’ business!
Simon Hazelman, Rava Estate, Savusavu
India and Fiji
I would be very grateful if the Government can let me know why there is a need to build our own Fijian embassy in India when most of our government departments are housed in rental premises in Fiji.
I hope someone could ask this question in Parliament.
Sukha Singh, Labasa
Speaker’s post
I believe the appointment of the Speaker of Parliament, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, is a political one.
After serving Fiji diligently as the president for a number of years, I think it was time for him to spend some good family time and enjoy the after service life instead of another term of workload.
What happened to the confidence in the Deputy Speaker?
Raynav Chand, Nakasi
Barefoot runners
I think your reporter Noa Biudole meant ‘serious’ when he wrote about a ‘sullen’ warning (beware of thesauri!) from officials to student athletes to wear track shoes (FT 19/12).
Anyway, if it is true that officials have been urging student athletes to pester their parents for money to buy track shoes, I would suggest they study the topic first.
Many famous international athletes have run barefoot, notably England’s Bruce Tulloh and South Africa’s Zola Budd, and there is no scientific evidence that it is in any way detrimental to health or safety.
Particularly in Fiji, where most students have run barefoot all their lives, it is taking a great risk to ask them to suddenly switch to wearing shoes.
Paul Geraghty, USP, Suva
Peace prize
Looking through a list of UN-related Nobel Peace Prize laureates, I noticed that in 1988, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to “United Nations Peace Keeping Forces”.
Fellow UN peacekeepers, we can tell our children and grand children that we all contributed to, and as a group, are honoured to have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize!
To the families of our comrades that did not make it back, we say — “We Will Remember Them!”
Kiniviliame Keteca, Nausori
My choice
My choice for Vegas and Vancouver — (forwards) Cakaubalavu, Kunavula, Nasoko, Derenalagi, Josua and (backs) Sevu, Jerry, Teri, Nacuqu, Botitu, Tuimaba and Naduva and Paula to cover as the 13th player.
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
Soccer talent
Is there a connection between Labasa and talented soccer players?
First-class soccer players have emerged from Labasa including Ivor Evans and Simon Peters.
These were gentleman who possessed talent, almost second to none in Fiji soccer.
More recently, Roy Krishna was voted the FPA player of the month award for the month of January.
A remarkable achievement indeed, given his record of scoring 12 goals in 19 appearances.
Not bad for a gentleman who was once a reserve in a Fiji development side.
Some say its talent but in Labasa they believe its also called dedication and commitment.
Floyd Robinson, Toorak, Suva
Do it right
Thank you Fiji Roads Authority and the contractor for filling big gaps beside the newly constructed footpath which joins the road.
It is filled with gravel and with just another rain it will be washed away.
May I remind you of your slogan “Do it once, do it right”.
Please do not waste my government’s money and seal the gaps properly.
Narayan Reddy, President, Lautoka Ratepayers Association
Category 5 cyclone
The impact of the Category 5 Cyclone Winston is still being felt in many areas.
The cyclone has left an imprint on Fiji’s history, never to be forgotten.
For the kava industry, it was immediate doom with supplies running low due to the devastation.
The supply and demand theory took its course and the price of kava soared to unbelievable heights.
As the industry continues to recover, supply is gradually increasing.
But there seems to be no effect on the price.
The local kava industry is challenging the age-old economic theory of supply and demand.
Supply, demand and price are all increasing simultaneously.
It has become a lucrative industry.
In The Fiji Times (19/2), there were two trademark public notices.
Both relating to proprietary rights of company names.
Companies which will deal in kava.
That huge success.
On its current trend, the booming kava industry is going to become a major contributor to Fiji’s economy.
Mohammed Imraz Janif, Natabua, Lautoka
IMF opinion
IMF is correct in recommending that FNPF rebuild and increase its savings after withdrawals in 2016.
I believe, especially when it has become the nation’s piggy bank.
Sailosi Naewe, Naduru Rd, Nausori
Good and bad
Fiji has long been considered the hub of the South Pacific because of its ideal location and accessibility.
Just of late our small island nation was now known as the hard drugs triangle of the Pacific where these elements who trade in dangerous drugs are almost being regularly detected and caught and credit must be given to the Commissioner of Police and all our specially trained police force with the border control units to detect and arrest those involved in the trade.
Trans crime is a reality, but the worst part of all this is that irresponsible Fijians are being used and are part of this global disaster where they must be the very people who we feel should be protecting our country from this filthy rot.
I believe increase in rapes, killings or murders, increase in road death tolls and the very serious crimes committed can all be traced back to the use of these illicit dangerous substances and I personally feel that our Government must increase the numbers and budget of the Fiji Police Force together with those from the border units and the Fiji Navy in order for them to combat this unwelcome culture to our shores.
Overseas training is a must with all our offshore development partners and our government must be commended for the increase in our naval fleet specialised patrol ships to maintain surveillance in our EEZ.
Tourism comes with both its good and bad where it attracts these kinds of activities as well where these drugs can be easily accessed by travellers who are regular users.
This is a very difficult fight but under the circumstances these government agencies are doing a marvelous job despite some shortfalls.
Tukai Lagonilakeba, Namaka, Nadi
