Fantastic Eileen Cikamatana
I was talking to an Australian friend on Facebook about Eileen Cikamatana’s recent fantastic record-breaking lifts.
She is a wonderful person and phenomenal in her sport.
No doubt about that.
Then he quips, “Al, it could also be the water we have over here.”
I was wondering if it could make me younger again, then I will import water from Australia.
Allen Lockington, Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka
Record-breaking lift
Eileen Cikamatana continues to impress the world with her mesmerising lifts in weightlifting.
Discarded by Fiji, Cikamatana is inches away from representing Australia and trust me Australia’s choice of snapping her is going to pay dividends.
This is my fifth correspondence on this issue and it hurts me that nothing significant has been done to solve the impasse between Levuka Weightlifters Association and Fiji Weightlifting Association and apart from Cikamatana, we are set to lose another asset and gold medal prospect in Manueli Tulo.
Cikamatana has set the pace and made a big statement as she broke 46 weightlifting records.
Yesterday’s editorial was to the point and I quote, “What will concern sports fans is the fact that we have a potential gold medallist right in front of us and we are allowing her to slip through our fingers… It is particularly sad to see a credible prospect slipping through our fingers.”
She may have closed her chapter as far as representing Fiji is concerned and I’m urging the executive of Weightlifting Fiji to come out clean.
We can’t afford to lose any more weightlifters.
I don’t have too many words but just wishing our 2018 Commonwealth gold medallist all the best!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
Iron woman
Your strength is God-given.
Your talent is by self-sacrifice.
The fame now is by virtue of the two put together.
Be grateful, be careful but most of all be humble in your successes.
To those detractors, I would tell you all, the same; but for now humble pie comes in mind.
Good for the soul, if you can chow down some.
Manoj Lal Patel, Drasa Ave, Lautoka
Why, oh why
We can only marvel at her achievement.
The question is why did Weightlifting Fiji executives employ an Iranian to replace her local coach from Levuka and who is the new coach guiding her replacement to represent Fiji at the next games?
Dan Urai, Lautoka
Historic effort
Eileen Cikamatana has created history by breaking 46 records in one day.
I wonder if any hearts in the weightlifting fraternity in Fiji are broken.
Allen Lockington, Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka
Police hotspots
It’s encouraging to note that police are engaged in operations to ensure safety for locals and tourists as well.
It’s not only Nadi to be looked at as a tourist town.
One should visit and carry out operations in the Sugar City as well.
There are hotspot areas such as the bus station, Namoli green area, juice selling area, Marine Drive foreshore to name a few which need police attention at the earliest.
Many say that something is below the currents which needs attention.
Hope our city will be made sweeter with some patrols and eradication of those illegal activities which has been noted for long.
Long live the police!
R K Singh, Lautoka
President re-elected
Congratulations to the Rev Dr Epineri Vakadewavosa for being re-elected as the president of the Methodist Church in Fiji.
In his capacity as president he will serve the church for one more year.
All the best Dr Epineri in your term as president and thank you The Fiji Times for the extensive coverage of this year’s Methodist annual conference!
The pictures and stories are appreciated!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
Cane harvesting
Dan Urai wants to know why harvesting machine operators prefer cane to be burnt before harvesting when everyone says do not burn cane (FT 17/08).
The sole reason is to remove the outer leaves around the cane stalks.
It’s the easiest way of getting rid of all that trash.
The other reason, which some may consider to be a minor one until they get to experience it, is to get rid of the hives of hornets whose stings one will remember for the rest of his or her life!
Green cane harvesting is the more sustainable option as the leafy material adds much-needed nutrients back into the soil.
In order to harvest green cane a mechanical device is required to separate the leafy material and discharge them back into the field.
I believe most of the machines in use don’t have the separator device.
I’m surprised that the Fiji Trades Union Congress (FTUC) president is unaware of the processes and reasons of burnt and green cane harvesting?
I guess the president has never held a cane knife nor experienced what it’s like to cut sugar cane, because if he did, he would totally understand the difference.
As my nephew always says, “Some people can and some people just cannot can!”
Simon Hazelman, Rava Estate, Savusavu
Humanitarian Day
WORLD Humanitarian Day is observed annually on August 19.
The purpose is to honour all of the humanitarians who have tirelessly worked to further and promote a variety of humanitarian causes all over the world.
It is also a day to remember those people who have lost their lives in the service of a humanitarian cause.
This World Humanitarian Day we continue to bring attention to the millions of civilians affected by armed conflict every day.
People in cities and towns struggle to find food, water and safe shelter, while fighting drives millions from their homes.
Children are recruited and used to fight, and their schools are destroyed.
Women are abused and humiliated.
As humanitarian workers deliver aid, and medical workers treat the wounded and sick, they are directly targeted, treated as threats, and prevented from bringing relief and care to those in desperate need.
“World Humanitarian Day is an annual reminder of the need to act to alleviate the suffering. It is also an occasion to honour the humanitarian workers and volunteers toiling on the front lines of crises. I pay tribute to these dedicated women and men who brave danger to help others at far greater risk.
“It’s hard to find a good Samaritan who cares to help without any cause.”
Neelz Singh, Lami
Healthy nation
WHAT has the Government achieved economically by reducing the retirement age?
Was the boom in Fiji’s economy a result of reducing the retirement age?
I believe boom economy means a healthy nation… are we?
Areki Dawai, Suva
Drunk charge
I believe there used be a drunk and incapable charge before.
I believe anybody on the streets found to be drunk and incapable was locked up and charged.
This was during the time when dozens of policeman and their superiors used to patrol the streets.
I am wondering why bigger police stations are being built everywhere.
Sukha Singh, Labasa
Sevens team
I was pleasantly surprised when my daughter brought home our shopping and I saw the Sanitarium Weet-Bix packet.
It has the picture of the Fiji 7s team on it and it says “breakfast of champions”.
It also has the Fiji Rugby Union logo on it and the packet is a limited edition pack.
What a promotion!
All I can say is — thank you Weet-Bix, you have the best team in the world on your product.
Allen Lockington, Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka
Job qualification
Mohammed Imraz Janif wonders if academic qualification is a formality in some job interviews and job advertisements (FT 17/08).
I believe some times the whole thing is a formality, a masquerade.
It’s a case of going through the motions to show adherence to a merit-based selection system.
I have been through that ring amoral and I know my experience is not unique.
Rajend Naidu, Sydney, Australia
House sale
I believe three doctors made applications to different banks in a bid to purchase a house on sale at Simla, Lautoka.
None of them was successful.
Is it the bank or are doctors no longer considered safe clients?
Dan Urai, Lautoka
Our progress
ON Sunday (18/08) Singapore’s Prime Minister announced they will gradually raise the retirement age from the current 62 to 63 years after his government accepted recommendations put forward by a tripartite work group studying the country’s ageing in their workforce.
I believe not long ago the Fijian government was inclined to adopt Singapore’s transformational model to build a better Fiji for all.
Which part of the model are we sitting on by the way, or are we merely the fruit pickers of other nations’ progress?
Areki Dawai, Suva
Issue of NCDs
Many people hold a particular belief when it comes to non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Their belief surrounds a core thought that we will eventually die one day or another.
For them, when one dies (not from obvious reasons), it is imperative that a cause of death (COD) will be forthcoming.
They think that somehow the COD will be deliberately related to NCDs.
So no big deal.
They adopt a eat and drink lifestyle because life has to be lived in style.
So why visit the doctors or pharmacies when minor aches or sicknesses arise?
Where does the attitude that we are bound to die go then?
The actual fact is no one wants to die.
If Alladin could grant wishes for real, wouldn’t eternal life top the list?
What is the worth of all the world’s riches without good health?
Do we feel like living in style when we are sick or get better with a flick?
Have we realised that of all the material differences which humans possess, health is something which isolates people?
The educational awareness is with the hope that people realise when the time comes to go, it is not too early due to NCDs.
There are differences between knowledge, understanding and practice.
Mohammed Imraz Janif, Natabua, Lautoka
Positive attitude
This was reported — Flying Fijians’ hooker Sam Matavesi believes the Flying Fijians have what it takes to beat the Wallabies in their opening 2019 Rugby World Cup match.
It added — “Of course we have what it takes,” Matavesi said.
I totally agree with my fellow villager and grand nephew Sam Matavesi.
It’s good to see such confidence and positive attitude in this young player.
In my agreement, I remember his father, Sireli Matavesi, a giant of a man who also plied his trade in the rugby paddocks of Vanuabalavu, Suva and the English clubs he played in.
I wish the Flying Fijians the very best as they prepare for this year’s world cup.
Go Flying Fijians.
Go Sam and Josh.
To Sam — Your uncle Muri says: “Outside!”
Kiniviliame Keteca, Nausori
