That’s a FACT!
There is only the one thing. Lautoka won. That’s the FACT. MANOJ LAL PATEL Drasa Ave, Lautoka
Hearty congratulations
My heartfelt congratulations go to the boys from the Sugar City for coming out triumphant in the 2023 Fiji Football Cup Tournament (Fiji FACT). The entire management team, players and helpers working from behind the scene deserve acknowledgment and commendation for making this a reality. All your staunch supporters today feel proud of your unwavering commitment and effort which yielded a fantastic result. In the final you had to battle against a formidable opponent but you came out triumphant. Not only have you won the cup which evaded you for 21 years but you also broke Rewa’s unbeaten run in the tournament. Also I commend you on this milestone achievement being a westerner. I know the party has already begun and I say enjoy it but be responsible and know your limits. For the players and officials your party time is not yet as bigger challenges still lay ahead. Again I wish to commend the boys for their effort and gallantry. I also wish them all the best in your remaining commitments. Suresh Chand Nadi
Mighty Blues rule
The Fiji FACT came to a thrilling conclusion on Sunday afternoon at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. After a 21-year drought, Lautoka FC Blues finally won the tournament when they defeated the impressive Rewa team in the final match. Even The Fiji Times Sports headline read, “Blues break jinx”. (FT 19/06) Evidently, the heartbroken Babasiga Lions supporters were loudly supporting the Rewa team, as was to be anticipated. Rewa is many Labasa fans’ “home away from home”, according to some ardent Labasa supporters. On the other hand, it was encouraging to know that Lautoka had the backing of the Ba fans. Since both soccer districts are ferocious rivals, this is surprising enough. Following the game, a large number of Ba fans flocked to social media to sincerely congratulate the Blues and to point out that Lautoka triumphed due to two Ba men, in particular the team’s coach Roneel Kumar and the goal scorer Saula Waqa. Some even claimed that the Blues’ victory was due to the fact that their captain is Ilimotama Jese, the “Varoko boy”. The remarks, though, kept coming. I came to the conclusion that these players and coach would have stayed with their home districts if their abilities had been valued both physically and monetarily. Even my loyalty was questioned by some. Given that I was born, raised, and educated in Lautoka, I will support the Lautoka FC Blues with all of my heart till my final breath. I bleed blue. To put it straight, the Digicel Fiji FACT 2023 champion is Lautoka FC. The cherry on top of the sundae was when another diehard Lautoka fan and CEO of Digicel, Farid Mohammed, presented the trophy and the cash award to the champions. Congratulations to the Lautoka FC Blues’ players, coach, officials, management, sponsors, and supporters. We remained the only unbeaten team in this year’s Fiji FACT. DINESH KUMAR Ba
Positive force
My humble request to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism Viliame Gavoka is that Tourism Fiji should get developers to start building hotels and tourist activities along the Kings Rd. There are very beautiful and scenic beaches along the Kings Rd. There are many beautiful places which can be developed for tourist needs. This will create employment for people along the Kings Rd. This will minimise urban drift. This will see agricultural growth thus revenue and economic growth. By doing this, we will ensure that tourism is viewed and delivered as a positive force that benefits the nation’s people, places, and environment for social, cultural and economic impacts. Let us not only concentrate on the Northern Division. Paras Naidu Lautoka
Breaking barrier
I salute 39-year-old Taiboria Tongare who broke barriers as a graduate from Fiji National University’s College of Business, Hospitality and Tourism Studies. Tongare was among the 76 students who completed the Basic Operations in a Call Centre (Level 3) course. After completing the course, Tongare learnt to become a better communicator and be able to solve problems. The course also taught him to be patient, to explain himself, and to apply empathy when dealing with customers who were temperamental. Although Tongare is physically disabled, he was able to achieve success as a result of his hard work, commitment and dedication. Tongare is a role model to the physically disabled. I thank FNU for providing Tongare with the environment which enabled him to complete his studies. A beautiful piece which would motivate others to achieve excellence despite barriers! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Cross check
I refer to one Paras Naidu of Lautoka who through LTE (FT (18/ 06) expressed his disappointments about the Fiscal Review Committee members and their decisions bases on their backgrounds. He states, those members are heartless people who are earning at top level and have not considered the poor. He further states that having ordinary people on that committee would have been helpful. I suggest it might help him to do cross checking of the committee members’ background which he got wrong and read the report well. Please take note the final decision lies with the government of the day. Kirti Patel Lautoka
FNPF pensions
In this cost of living crisis the sliced pensions enforced on members should be restored, as we see the progress and developments in FNPF funds. The concerns have been timely raised by those affected. The people’s newspaper The Fiji Times’ Letters to the Editor, always highlights such issues from various concerned writers. To survive on this day to day living in this expensive world on the reduced pension to make ends meet can be any ones guess. We continue to struggle in our retirements. Let’s hope for at least some cost of living adjustments (COLA) in this price rise crisis. Pensioners’ survival depends on what we put in our mouths. Health first. Long live FNPF! With blessings of the members. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Why a separate uni?
The call made by certain groups among the iTaukei and in the GCC submissions to have an iTaukei university may not be timely since we have our Fiji National University. I believe key positions at FNU are held by some prominent iTaukei and this university must be built further to improve the existing infrastructure to accommodate iTaukei education. Building a separate university wouldn’t help to better iTaukei education, but improving the quality of programs at FNU would do so. To build a university requires a lot of planning, resources and findings to sustain it. If iTaukei studies are embed into existing programs this is far better for all. I believe, a separate college or faculty should be created could look after iTaukei affairs. This would enable it to fully utilise the existing FNU resources, facilities and skills. iTaukei organisations like Ministry of iTaukei, iTaukei Affairs Board, iTaukei Land Trust Board, TLTB which gets millions of dollars from iTaukei land etc, to channel certain funding to boost iTaukei education at FNU. This is better a way to create opportunities for iTaukei and move them away from poverty. Let’s give iTaukei better chances at FNU, Fiji’s own university in their respective studies. This is the best solution. Indar Deo Bisun Sakoca Heights, Suva
Heartbreaking news
It is alarming and heartbreaking to note that seniors were among the 100 people who attempted suicide in the first five months of 2023 (FT 19/6). The elderly population faces unique challenges and vulnerabilities, making them susceptible to feelings of despair and hopelessness. While every person’s situation is different, there are a number of common variables that contribute to this upsetting trend. Firstly, seniors have lot of health problems. They grapple with chronic pain, debilitating illnesses and diminishing physical capabilities. The constant struggle with deteriorating health can lead to a loss of independence, feelings of burden and a diminished quality of life, all of which may contribute to suicidal thoughts. Secondly, loneliness and social isolation are prevalent among seniors due to factors such as the loss of loved ones, retirement, and limited mobility. The absence of meaningful connections can intensify feelings of despair and increase the risk of suicide. Thirdly, depression, anxiety and other mental health disorders are common among seniors but often go undiagnosed and untreated. These conditions can amplify feelings of hopelessness, making suicide seem like the only escape from emotional pain. Moreover, economic hardships, inadequate retirement savings and the rising cost of healthcare can create financial stress for seniors. The fear of being a burden on family members or facing destitution can lead to overwhelming despair and thoughts of suicide. Addressing the issue of senior suicide requires a comprehensive approach that includes accessible mental health services, community support, and improved social integration. In this regard, the work of Empower Pacific must be acknowledged and appreciated. More awareness about the availability of the work done by Empower Pacific is required so that our seniors know that help is just a phone call away. It is crucial to prioritise our aging population’s mental health and ensure they receive the help they require to overcome the unique challenges they experience in their later years. SANJEET PRASAD Labasa
Whose responsibility?
Why is it that so many institutions are left in disrepair for such long periods of time affecting so many people in a community? The Levuka mortuary, the CWM Hospital and so many other important places in the community are good examples of negligence. Whose responsibility is the maintenance of these places? Either some body’s not doing their job or is it the old malua fever story? Colin Deoki Australia
Divide and rule?
SINCE it does not show the people how to respect and love one another, politics is meant to divide and rule. AREKI DAWAI Suva
Public holiday?
At this stage, I do not possess the knowledge of its authenticity but I hear that ardent Blues fans are passionately asking for a public holiday in Lautoka to mark the soccer tournament win. The occasion is that momentous. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Sexual harassment
Why is our Ministry of Labour and Productivity including one of its main stakeholders the Fiji Employers Federation not issuing a press statement regarding the release of a report by IFC in its “Supporting gender equal work place in Fiji” which was captured in the F/T 04/06/22. I believe this report is not something to be shelved because it concerns the value of human life, mostly our women and girls. Domestic violence, gender based violence or sexual harassment affects our nation’s productivity. That is the sad reality. Jioji M Cakacaka Carerras- Votualevu, Nadi
Cancer talk
Fiji Cancer Society programs officer Shweta Kapoor’s comments on curable cancer reveals that cancer is quite common globally and should be openly talked about. (FT 15/6). There are many victims who believe that it is not treatable. With updated scientific ways and medical research, this can be maintained and cured. Let’s do away with this untreatable concept and have faith in our medical team. However, let’s hear more from Fiji Cancer Society towards its prevention rather than cure. Prevention is the master key. We all can take up the challenge to fight it. Cancer does not care but we have to. Prevention is better than cure and cancer is curable. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
