Futsal’s golden boys!
HLB Suva stood out when the dust settled at the Vodafone Arena on Saturday. The defending champs proved their dominance, securing a sensational 6-2 win over Homeland Enforcement Lautoka.
Suva was the pre-tournament favourite with a host of Futsal players in their mix, and the men in white did not let their fans, loved ones and sponsors down, as they defended their title.
Krishneel Singh (2), Aman Naidu (2), Justin Kumar and Deepal Singh delivered clinical finishing to seal the deal. Suva’s firepower (fitness), attacking weapons and team spirit were hard to match by their rivals.
Rajneel Singh, Benji Mana, Shivnal Prasad and Shameet Kumar proved critical with their performances. The undisputed Kings of Futsal added this title to the Southern Zone and National League titles that they had won earlier. Suva will be representing Fiji in the Oceania play-offs. Wishing the giants all the best!
RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM, Nadawa, Nasinu.
Termite in Labasa
From Lautoka to Nausori then now to Labasa, the invasive termite have invaded almost most of our major towns. In Lautoka people are still learning to live with termites, many have learned to live with termites as people build concrete houses with iron beams.
Many houses have removed all timber but started using steel structures which is stronger and termite proof.
I request if the minister from Lautoka Hon Sashi Kiran can see what many of us already seen, not just the damage and wasting taxpayers’ money on fact finding about termites.
Instead of wasting money on those things the Government should give that money to house owners so they can rebuild proper termite proof houses.
Why waste money on tracking termites when we all know that the whole of Lautoka has termite problems and now they migrated to other parts of Fiji including Labasa. Hon Kiran please understand what we ordinary people need.
GEOFFREY CHAND, Lautoka.
Commercial farms
At the outset, one could say that the proposed investment by two commercial firms into commercial agriculture, through the establishment of commercial farms, (FT 19/11) will be a much-needed boost for our oft maligned agricultural sector.
However, I hope that this move will not impede, discourage or even destroy the many small holder farms that are already farming similar crops or livestock and are trying hard each day to survive.
We all know its a cut-throat competitive world we live in.
But lets try to be always mindful of the effects and repercussions at the micro level, of developments we proudly pursue at the macro level!
It will certainly augur well for our nation, if such development also stimulate the growth and profitability of our smallholders and family farms as well, so that it becomes a win-win situation!
EDWARD BLAKELOCK, Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour.
Irony of bay leaf
I wish to remind Colin Deoki that we use bay leaves (tej patta) as a herb in cooking to give aroma to our dishes. But the bay leaves are removed from the dishes before consumption.
For too long, the Fijians of Indian descent have been treated like bay leaves; that is adding aroma to the multiracial, multicultural, multireligious and diverse community of Fiji Islands.
If Mahendra Chaudhry’s Fiji Labour Party and the Coalition partners are elected in 2026, I hope they will be given a full four-year term to govern.
Presently, we have no choice as others have failed miserably.
RAKESH CHAND SHARMA, Nadi.
The obvious
Jan Nissar believes that the GCC is the greatest hindrance to iTaukei empowerment (FT 19/11). Sobo, why would you go and say something like that? Something so true and completely correct.
The GCC’s main priority should be looking after the interest and welfare of the iTaukei people, not just their own. Lately they’ve been calling for a review of the 2013 Constitution. What is their reason?
For the GCC members to say that the 2013 Constitution is the root of many issues facing the iTaukei is just pitiful and heartrending. To the three legged government: How has the reinstatement of the Great Council of Chiefs so far benefited the common iTaukei?
A reasonable and logical question I believe is in the minds of a commonality like me.
WISE MUAVONO, Balawa, Lautoka.
Biden’s picture
CNN is pretty much upset that other G20 world leaders did not wait for President Biden to arrive in Rio de Janeiro for the G20 summit leaders official photograph.
RAKESH CHAND SHARMA, Nadi.
Reforms and attention
There is a concerning pattern of unprofessionalism and harassment by government enforcement units that is increasingly being exposed on social media that demands attention and immediate reform. We have seen in recent years officials from Land Transport Authority (LTA), Police, and municipal council enforcement units show unprofessional and rude behaviour in carrying out their work. These officials, funded by taxpayers, must remember that they serve the public, not the other way around.
Recent incidents illustrate the urgent need for change. In a widely circulated Facebook video, an LTA officer is heard instructing a police officer to handle a citizen in a tone dripping with arrogance. This follows other examples of misconduct, such as the rough dismantling of a roadside vendor’s stall a few years ago. These are not isolated events – they reflect a systemic issue of poor training, unchecked behaviour, and a culture of impunity.
The solution lies in accountability and better preparation. All public-facing civil servants must undergo mandatory customer service training, teaching them to engage with citizens respectfully and constructively. Being an enforcement officer does not grant license to demean or intimidate, it demands the ability to balance authority with empathy and fairness.
Additionally, oversight mechanisms must be strengthened. Independent review boards and public feedback systems can ensure that incidents of misconduct are addressed promptly and transparently. Enforcement officers should face tangible repercussions for failing to uphold professional standards.
Governance by service, not intimidation, must be the mantra of our public institutions. Citizens are not subjects — they are the employers of these officials. Without a cultural shift toward accountability and respect, trust in these institutions will continue to erode. It is time for the government to act decisively to restore professionalism and dignity in public service.
EPELI WAQAVONOVONO, Toorak, Suva.
Les Bleus sink All Blacks!
What a match on Sunday morning, as hosts France, at the Stade de France where the All Blacks played the final of the RWC 15s, losing to the Springboks 11-10, rallied past, making a massive statement and making their rivals bite the dust. Prior to the battle against the Les Bleus, the All Blacks were unbeaten, having seen off the Brave Blossoms 64-19, The Roses 24-22 and Ireland 23-13.
France had defeated Japan 52-12. Hence, fans had expected a huge battle as the hosts aimed for a hat-trick against the All Blacks. When the dust settled, the Les Bleus had achieved a three-peat, adding to the 40-25 win in 2021 and the 27-13 win last year. The Les Bleus had the last laugh as they outclassed the All Blacks 30-29 in a superb, thrilling Test, ending the All Blacks’ five-match winning streak. Fabien Galthie had a solid session with his boys during the break and they came out firing in the second spell.
The Les Bleus held their nerves in the dying moments. They put up a lions’ effort in defence, not allowing the All Blacks to cross the line. In the first half, the hosts played some risky rugby and were punished by the All Blacks who had taken a 14-3 lead. I was impressed with the way France defended and showed their prowess and how clinical they could be, heading to the 2027 RWC. The one-point loss was agonising.
RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM, Nadawa, Nasinu.
Oldies bus fares
Bula to you fellow welfarians. Can this Coalition Government increase our bus fare to $50?
$24 is not enough. I’ve only got $0.52 left. Kerekere please.
JOE MATATOLU, Waila 3A.
Take a bow
Colin Deoki wants Chaudhry to “please stop the negative narrative” (FT 19/11). Can Colin make explicit what he finds objectionable? I believe what Chaudhry is doing to hold power to account through critical scrutiny is essential for good democratic governance in the country. There is nothing wrong in that. In fact more citizens should do that as their civic duty to ensure those in power do what’s right for the public good.
RAJEND NAIDU, Sydney, Australia.
Blackbirding system
While our ‘kai Solomoni’ definitely have genuine grievances, it does no good for their cause to exaggerate them, as does your writer Sainimili Magimagi (18/11/24) when she states that “Melanesians were brought to Fiji in the 1800s through the blackbirding system”. Blackbirding means kidnapping, and it is not true to say that all Melanesians who came to work in Fiji were kidnapped, since many were not — see the scholarly discussion in Winston Halapua’s book Living on the Fringe: Melanesians in Fiji, pp 49-51.
PAUL GERAGHTY, USP, Suva.
With dashcam
Police encounters are often tense and might turn violent at anytime on patrols. That is after all the nature of the situation officers are often called upon to deal with where sometimes police officers are sent off. Reading The Fiji Times article (19/11) man seeks justice, that a police officer assaulted an engineering student.
There may be different versions of what happened, investigation officer will never know. I believe it’s time for frontline police officers to use body dash cam. May be it would be good for the quality of policing and improvement of relations between police and public.
NAVNEET RAM (TD), Lautoka
Government’s purpose?
If the GCC has been charged with fixing the issues facing the iTaukei and bringing them out of poverty, who and what is the Government going to look after? I think we all know the answer to that question. And they have been looking after themselves very well lately.
JAN NISSAR, Sydney, Australia.
Union debts
I can only hope that the officials of the Nadi Rugby Union will clear all their debts owed to the Airport Rugby Club before the end of 2024.
AREKI DAWAI, Suva.
