Congratulations to the ‘Mickey Mouse’ team
I feel very sorry for our friend who continually scorns our rugby 7s and Mickey Mouse. Maybe he had a deprived childhood. Mickey Mouse has brought joy and amusement to my childhood and that of millions of others for nearly 100 years. I hope children are still given access to Mickey Mouse cartoons, stories and films. They are fun for us adults too. To our inspiring 7s team, congratulations and thanks for your victory in Cape Town. You have lifted our spirits just like the cartoon character can. This is a time when we need to relax, give up criticising each other and have some laughs together. Tessa Mackenzie Suva
Plans for big bash
The Flying Fijians deserve a treat after breaking the 17-year-old drought. Fans, who follow 7s rugby, will know the essence of the Melrose Cup to a tiny nation like Fiji. Who can ever forget the tears that were shed when Fiji won the Melrose Cup for the first time? Who can ever forget the scenes from So Kon Po Stadium when Serevi and company raised the Melrose Cup? Back to the victory celebration and I’m thankful FRU will be giving the players a fitting welcoming ceremony to thank them for their hard work. The boys made endless sacrifices to bring back the Melrose Cup to our shores after 17 long years. I also pay tribute to Jerry Tuwai, who has become the most decorated 7s player, as he has won the Melrose Cup and two Olympic Games gold medals. Jerry’s mother was right when she said that her son had not changed and that he respected his parents. In a sign of respect, which is talked about, Jerry and Filipe Sauturaga, who won the award for Best Player in the final, displayed true sportsmanship and Fijian spirit as they helped Lewis Ormund off the field. The flamboyant Fijians wrested the Melrose Cup from the Rainbow Nation and they need a big bash to honour their win. The boys persevered and never gave up. They played like a unit. They played their hearts out and played for each other. More than that, they remained humble. Let’s welcome our warriors who conquered the battlefield and return home winners! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Congratulations fast Fijians
The Fiji Times reporting by Talebula Kate on winning the World Cup 7s title with a jovial smiling picture of the Fiji rugby team (FT 12/9) with the trophy is a proud moment for all Fijians. Keep the Fiji flag flying higher with Fiji Airways and all Fijians as always mentioned in the 153-year old daily newspaper, The Fiji Times. Your Bula Fiji smile echoes everywhere in the world. Go Fiji, go!
Incomplete roadworks
I think it has been more than two months now since work on a section of Andrews Rd near my residence had been stopped after the problem of water stagnation was raised. Until now the work has not resumed because I think FRA is still trying to find a possible solution. I believe the residents will have no issue with that knowing how things work with FRA. We, nevertheless, are concerned about the dust pollution created as a result of the non-completed project. With so much dust emanating, it is hard to recognise the flowers in our gardens. Not to mention our clothes and other household items. That said, it was disappointing to note that there was no dust binders and also no properly-timed water sprinkling to keep the nuisance at bay. Our health and safety needs to be properly safeguarded at all times. It should be of paramount interest to anyone who undertook any project of this nature. At this juncture I feel it is necessary to let you know that I have been communicating with FRA in this regard but to avail. I hope FRA does find a solution and implement it sooner rather than later. Let’s not waste taxpayers money unnecessarily if you know what I mean. Thank you. Suresh Chand Nadi
Speak out anyway
I thank Jioji Cakacaka’s for his article in this column (FT 12/9) and for highlighting and encouraging women and girls to say no and to speak out against sexual harassment at the workplace. Not long ago, I received information from concerned individuals about the exploits of this particular executive at a prominent organisation here in the west who, while being sick and alone at home, called the office and gave instructions for Lady M to come to his house to clean up. Lady M stopped turning up for work soon after and rumour has it that she was being paid to stay quiet about the “home visit”. I called Lady M to cross-check and while she did not admit anything, she stated that she did not want to talk about it. When I insisted, she hung up. I was in a lurch, but she did not deny the story. In this particular organisation, Lady M is the by-word for women and girls who have allegedly fallen for the “boss”. Speaking out is so easy to say, but after you talk to an alleged victim, you sense and feel their fear and their shame through their voices. It is an ordeal for these women, like choosing between dying from hunger or disease. It is an excruciating experience perpetrated by evil men with power. Speak out anyway, and live again. Samu Railoa Nadi
Dust pollution
Dust, clouds of dust everywhere, from that gravelled road, leading to Vakabalea. (FT 13 / 09) Many complaints have been lodged by the residents, yet nothing really has been done about it. The dust pollution, is a real nuisance, and a health hazard, to the residents, in the area. Let’s hope something is done soon, to stop all that dust pollution, for the sake of the men, women and children. Edward Blakelock Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour
Vote buying
Offering volleyballs is vote-buying says the Attorney-General. So what about giving outboards with engines and farming equipment just before elections? Does it mean vote-buying regulations are only for the Opposition parties? Sukha Singh Labasa
Boring tour
I guess it would have been a thrill and patriotic if Jerry Tuwai plus some of his gallant heroes do come to the North and open new supermarkets, grids and do the Walesi launch. They would be more welcomed and adored by the schoolchildren and perhaps all the Northern earthlings because the players are their heroes. The current tour to the North of government delegations is boring and cumbersome. Jioji O Toronibau Navetau, Tunuloa
RWC 7s celebration
I would prefer more monies to be awarded to the 7s players and management rather than the FRU-organised national celebration as printed in the F/T 13/09/22. For us Westerners, greeting them at our Nadi airport on Wednesday is more than enough to show our love and support towards the team and management because we cannot be in Suva for this planned national celebration. Whatever the FRU’s budget is for this national fitting celebration, please divide it equally among our boys as an addition to the principal amount that Government is going to reward the team and management with. Just a small reception for the team, immediate family members and Government is enough with their respective hefty envelopes. We can always watch this low profile reception from the comfort of our home just like when they play at these international tournaments. No need for a national celebration as we already did that after the final whistle at Cape Town Stadium on Monday morning. Jioji M Cakacaka Tadra, Votualevu, Nadi
Vintage rugby
It was vintage rugby sevens with cracking defence leading to a memorable World Cup 7s win at Cape Town. But there was no X-factor in the team and all local homegrown sevens players who went one step up, did the job and shut the gates very rare and unique. The rock solid defence stood tall and the boys played with so much passion and aggression. Another point that stood out was the sudden change of tactic during kickoff sending deep kicks rather than short kicks to frustrate the Kiwis who had to fall back and start attacks allowing Fiji to regroup and start defending. Vinaka Ratu Peni Qoliqoli, there is land waiting for you reserved signed and to be delivered. Sa lave mai na rara joka dina kon roki. Shalwyn Prasad Mukta Ben Rd, Nabua, Suva
Rain on the parade
I guess some of us just must bear it and be bored shirtless for the next few days about some unknown Mickey Mouse tournament won by Fiji. I had suggested the grog dopeys would be over the moon if Fiji won. I am sure all the euphoria will pass, as reality sets in, in a few days. These pages will be awash with repetitive self-praise about how good “the boys and the warriors” are. Everyone will be oblivious and unaware to the fact that the game, I believe, is not inclusive and deliberately excludes other sections of the population. But then, it is up to me to “rain on your parade” and point these things out, again. Jan Nissar NSW, Australia
Water woes
Thanks to WAF for letting us know via a text message on our phones that water supply will be disturbed from Votualevu to Denarau, Nadi. While they are at it, could they also please ask its consumers to use water sparingly, not to wash cars or water the garden etc. They used to request that previously. Norman Yee Martintar, Nadi
True son
Like Jai Ram Reddy, Jerry Tuwai also is a true son of Fiji. Sukha Singh Labasa
That power
Sue Cauty reminds us that The Observer’s Derrick Van Hollander said on 21/2/2010 that “At the top of Voreqe Bainimarama’s list is education and health. Having met the man, I know nothing will stop him achieving positive outcomes for his country”. Sue Cauty wonders: “What happened.” (FT 13/9/22). Priorities changed apparently. I believe that happens when people stay in power for too long. Staying in power gets to the top of the list! Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Mark of respect
Will the FijiFirst Government declare Monday, September 19, 2022 a public holiday as a fitting mark of respect and honour for her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, on the occasion of her State funeral in London, England? Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
The challenge
The challenge for FRU and 7s rugby remain a back-to-back win at international tournaments. Dan Urai Lautoka
Proud moment
Two recent events have made Fijians extremely proud locally and from other nations as well. Fiji rugby 7s scooped the Melrose World Cup and Peni Tubuna 21, from Regiment of Scotland was awarded the opportunity as one of the pallbearers for Her Majesty. DAVID SUSHIL LAL Malolo St, Lautoka
$5 handouts
Do you believe that people earning $120 a week, actually give $5 per week handouts to the FijiFirst party as a token of appreciation? Dan Urai Lautoka
That attack
When I read how the A-G and Economy Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum castigated Opposition leaders at a media conference, (FT 13/9) the Biblical saying “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone” crossed my mind. I wonder why? Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
