One in, all in!
When Pilipo Bukayaro spoke about the secret in our sevens team he said it’s about “one in all in” the commentator said “I like that”.
That statement is strong and shows the unity, the passion and support for each other this team has.
Osea Kolinisau said he is looking forward to his two debutant players. Little did we all know that both will go on to play in every game on debut, a rare sight to behold, and only Fiji can do that.
It’s been a long drought and the key takes in Dubai was our strong defence, our patient build-ups but the most vital key was sending our subs at the right time with our secret weapon Naduvalo making that difference. Joka dina boys, it’s Cape Town next, another monkey to take out of your back as Oscar says humble and patient as ever. Vacava tacina?
SHALWYN PRASAD, Mukta Ben Place, Nabua, Suva
Halt to the past
Finally, after almost 22 tournaments of heart breaks, we finally put a halt to the past.
Congratulations to our national sevens team as they launched a come from behind win against an ever improving and confident Spanish team.
This is perhaps the best way to begin the last month of the year. Vinaka to coach Kolinisau and our men for landing gold at the Emirates Dubai 7s tournaments.
Also let’s not forget to support our women’s team too.
FLOYD ROBINSON, Micronesia
Flying Fijians end nine-year drought
IT was a triple celebration for me yesterday. It was my birthday. Manchester United thrashed Everton 4-0. The icing on the cake culminated when a spirited and powerful Fijian 7s team ripped apart Spain to win the Dubai 7s Cup 19-5.
Before that, the boys almost gave Fijians a heart attack as they came from behind to down the Olympics gold medallists 19-17. Vuiviawa Naduvalo sprinted near the touch line and dashed to the tryline to give fans a breath of optimism that we were going to win the title. In the semi-final flashes of brilliance, teamwork and a solid defensive effort resulted in Fiji thrashing the Los Pumas 7s 43-21.
The final was about being aggressive and the desire to end the 22-tournament losing spree, and the boys did that in style as they outplayed and outpaced a determined Spanish outfit which was led by an impressive Pol Pla.
I commend head coach Osea Kolinisau and the boys led by Jerry Matana. They brought smiles and delight. The frustration of not winning a tournament since the Toulouse 7s win in 2022 calmed down.
Scenes of the 2015 win, which was inspired by Ben Ryan and Osea Kolinisau, were ignited. The 2015 team had the likes of Jasa Veremalua, Aisake Katonibau, Pio Tuwai, Jerry Tuwai, Savenaca Rawaca, Vatemo Ravouvou, Apisai Domolailai, Viliame Mata, Kitione Taliga, Emosi Mulevoro and Sevuloni Mocenacagi.
Kolinisau, who captained that team, brought us back to winning ways in Dubai as the coach. Job well done, Oscar! I also congratulate Filipe Sauturaga who was named the Player of the Final and the debutants, George Bose and Kavekini Tanivanuakula, for playing their hearts out. Thank you, boys, for my golden birthday gift! Simply, too good, brothers!
RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM, Nadawa, Nasinu
Expanded portfolios
It’s a pity Ms Premila Kumar failed to inform her party while in power, that certain members, who held so much more portfolios than our current PM, would be in danger of “spreading themselves to thin”.
Was her leaders not confident of the “collective talent” within the party?
It’s probably her experience seeing experienced personnel within her party being overlooked because of power hungry individuals who took on several roles that has prompted her to speak up!
Don’t worry yourself too much Hon Kumar, the people are watching and unlike previous times, we can speak up and take our PM to task without fear of intimidation.
TAI SMITH, Nasinu Sec Sch Rd, Kinoya, Nasinu
Whipping boy
Crikey, it really cheeses me off reading your correspondent Altauf Chand’s letter (FT 30/11) regarding Australia’s contribution to the fight against climate change.
“Australia is regarded internationally as a climate laggard.”
$50m added to the $100m Australia gave in 2023 to the Loss and Damage Fund together with $100m Pacific Resilience Scheme and $125m to enhancing renewable energy across the Pacific.
He doesn’t like “the Fiji badge” being given to Australia.
Australia gave $A149.3m ($F219.9m) to Fiji in the last year and overall $A4.7b ($F6.9b) worldwide.
Royalties from our coal exports ($13.6b) to India, royalties, not profits mind you, help with that.
Australia has a great credit rating which enables us to borrow all of that cash which we then give to others
My household electricity bill for this year amounts to $3165, thanks to my government’s mad rush to achieve lower emissions at any cost.
Country comparisons are of interest. CO2 annual emissions are:
n Fiji, 1.1m tonnes;
n Australia 3.821m;
n India 3 billion tonnes.
Who is the laggard?
Oh, India has set targets, would you believe year 2070!
Let’s not mention China, Australia is the universal whipping boy.
TERRY HULME, NSW, Australia
Social media
Fiji should legislate a similar law as they have done in Australia. Not allowing use of social media for under 16. Interesting to note the monetary fines.
DAN URAI, Lautoka
Congratulations
Congrats to our hard-working wonder players for making us proud.
Words cannot describe how much your skills and ability uplifts our country.
Every citizen of this country can lift their head up high because of your magic on the field. Vinaka boys. May God’s blessing be always on you and our beloved Fiji.
KIRTI PATEL, Mohan Singh Pl, Lautoka.
Executive of the Year!
Hearty congratulations to Motibhai and Company Ltd Chairman and CEO, Kirit Patel, for walking away with the Executive of the Year at the PM’s International Business Awards 2024.
I have a lot of respect for Mr Patel, considering the role he played in managing the people’s newspaper when the tides were rough. The Fiji Times was under lots of pressure amidst the draconian media decree and copped a lot of criticism from those in power.
MIDA was a very challenging time for those at The Fiji Times and to navigate that journey was not easy, but the team did well. For the Supreme Award, Motibhai and Company Ltd was recognised for its commercial success and excellence across multiple areas, including job creation, innovation, service excellence, social responsibility, adaptation, resilience, and skill-building to sustainably drive growth and social cohesion, while for the Executive of the Year award, Mr Patel was recognised as a visionary leader, propelling Motibhai Group to new heights.
I agree with Investment Fiji that Mr Patel’s commitment to excellence, and dedication to employee development have made him a true inspiration.
Congratulations Mr Patel on this success!
RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM, Nadawa, Nasinu
Year 8 exam
One problem with exams is the fixing of the pass rate at 50 per cent. That is, the child has only half of the expected knowledge and skills.
Is that enough to go on to the next stage? And, perhaps worse still, there is so little difference, perhaps only one mark, between a 49 per cent fail and a 50 per cent pass.
And what exactly is being tested? It is the ability to put pen to paper and write some answers. This is not enough to gauge the real ability of a child.
The skills needed to pass exams are not the same as those needed for real learning. Do our teachers really know how children (and adults) learn best? It is not by memorising facts for exams. Do our teacher training institutions discuss the findings of such world renowned educators as Maria Montessori, Caleb Gattegno and Zoltan Dienes?
Of course the greatest obstacle to education in our urban centres is class size, and with teacher shortages this is not going to improve in the near future.
FERGUS GARRETT, Marist Brothers, Vatuwaqa, Suva
Health crisis
I agree with DPM and Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad that people need to “wake up “and fully understand the gravity of the country’s health crisis.
Our people are more inclined towards hospital care and medicines than preventive measures like healthy living and regular exercise.
In my locality, the Swamiji’s of Swami Vivekananda College have permitted people to take walks in the school playground. Yet people do not make use of it. From 1970s to 1990s, Malolo Sangam Temple (located before SVC) was used as a venue for meetings by Health Dept. sisters, the police for crime-related issues or any other matters involving community. Today, temple religious and marriage ceremonies and minor feeder road meetings are conducted.
I request the Ministry of Health and Women’s Ministry to bring their health and gender violence campaigns to village centres. They cannot be conducted only through media. (I have noticed that newspaper stacks are getting shorter in bookshops due to social media).
RAKESH CHAND SHARMA, Nadi
Attendance stats
Meanwhile, another soccer tournament of some sort has ended. And still no word on the daily attendance figures.
MOHAMMED IMRAZ JANIF, Natabua, Lautoka
Migrant workers
We read in a report in The Fiji Times (2/12/24) that “at least 100 Bangladeshi labourers are up in arms over their working conditions, claiming they have been mistreated by their employer, a Suva-based construction company. The report does not reveal the name of the company. Is that because of some legal constraint? Is there an official probe into the claims of the migrant workers? Shouldn’t there be one to safeguard the international reputation and image of the country?
RAJEND NAIDU, Sydney, Australia
Street hawkers
Has anyone noticed the ever increasing street hawkers at night around Lautoka, selling cigarette rolls, BBQ, subway, pudding, juice, grog, roti, glue and even some strange people ask if you want to get high? What does our law say about hawkers? Are they allowed to operate and sell illegal things? Maybe night enforcement is needed in Lautoka as the illegal activities thrive everyday.
GEOFFREY CHAND, Lautoka
No 7s on TV
Bitterly disappointed weekend as there was no Dubai 7s on free to air TV. Though I recalled one station said they had an agreement with Sky TV to do so. So another set of games was missed by all not connected to Sky. That’s most of us citizens throughout Fiji. What a pity. Will one station be the hero and air the next one in Cape Town? Praying that will happen.
NORMAN YEE, Martintar, Nadi
New Speaker
Congratulations Mr Speaker, sir (Filimone Jitoko). Watching and listening to the former judge’s first assignment yesterday was like he had been tailor-made to the job from long time ago. Again, thank you indeed sir.
JIOJI O. TORONIBAU, Navetau, Tunuloa
7s win
The Fijian 7s team won the Mickey Mouse tournament in Dubai after nine years thanks to the intervention of God. That is what Captain Mickey Mouse says. I can only conclude that the referees did not have any effect on the games this time.
JAN NISSAR, Sydney, Australia
2026 election
It has been suggested by a respected individual that the 2026 election may present challenges for current ministers, as a new generation of candidates is expected to emerge, potentially replacing some of the old figures who are still involved in politics.
JAHEED BUKSH, Sigatoka
Dubai 7s
Sobo what happened to our Fijiana team losing all their Dubai 7s matches? Inexperience? Congratulations to our men’s team. It’s kind of ironic ending the 22 tournament drought playing in the desert. Areh, go Fiji go!
WISE MUAVONO, BALAWA, LAUTOKA
