Talents galore in the Capital
As I penned this letter, I was gearing up at the Grand West Villa to witness the breathtaking battle between Nasinu Secondary School and Ratu Kadavulevu School. Prior to the thrilling grand finale, the clashes between the boys from the U14 to the U19 battles stood out. Queen Victoria School celebrated their 17-15 victory over Suva Grammar School in the final of the Deans U14 Trophy. The Lions U15 side put aside the two-point loss in the U14 grade to overcome Mahatma Gandhi Memorial School 27-24 in an intense and nail-biting affair. The Lions also proved too strong for Gospel High School, thrashing them 40-8 in almost a one-sided affair. However, I salute the Gospel High team for creating history and for putting up a brave performance. Ratu Kadavulevu School triumphed over Lelean Memorial School 31-22 in the final of the Deans U17 Trophy. Nasinu Secondary School made a massive statement, ending Tailevu North High School’s dream run, winning 15-10. Nasinu carved their name into history books, smashing a hard-earned, well-deserving victory to claim their maiden U19 title. These golden matches lit fireworks ahead of the grand battle between the Delainakaikai Kings and the history makers. Their performances showed that talents galore in the Capital. Fiji is blessed to have a wealth and abundance of rugby talents at home! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
Learning from letters
I read all the letters in The Fiji Times because you can learn something important. I learn from the letter by former Chief Justice Daniel Fatiaki regarding “many pensioners who were mercilessly robbed” that what use is “consideration” of this issue, “if it does not lead to tangible action?” (FT 23/8/25). The wise words of the retired judge made me wonder if the same applied to the COI recommendations if it did not lead to tangible action? Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
‘Work first, complaint later’
This was the slogan used by our supervisors then, ‘work first, complaint later’. Due to that we worked things out with common sense with less or no resources improvising on what was available. Nowadays things have changed. Complaining first then working later, this I believe does not give one the ability to think or improvise but just waiting to be spoon fed at all times. Juki Fong Chew Nadawa, Nasinu
Super bright fog lights
This is to express dire concern on a recent trend involving super bright fog lights on cars in and around the Suva area. No doubt you would have seen this scourge, if you drive in the early or late hours; a fog light so bright you see spots after that car passes, so bright you cannot see anything while it is in front of you despite you having your lights on and also switching to high beams to counteract it, so bright in fact that its bigger and much brighter than the headlights of the car sporting it. I hope LTA vehicle fitness examiners put a stop to this, which obviously contradicts all things the Road Regulations Act stands for, also if you put any person, even the owner of such a setup, in front of their fog lamps they will surely not be able to see anything. Ashvir Singh Nasinu
Deans Trophy
It is a beautiful day so far (yesterday), considering the now normal weather pattern Suva is known for; where in some days, the sun and the rain take turns trying their best to outdo each other. The Under 15 match between Suva Grammar and MGM High School has just finished: well won by Grammar, so unfortunate for MGM. It is wonderful to see some spectacular display of individual talents, and the teamwork that follow: rugby in Fiji is doing fine. Sports aside, it is “touch wood” that in the classrooms, everyone is giving his or her best efforts as per displayed here. I do not remember how MGM did in rugby in the past years, my stereotype thoughts put them as good soccer players for sure, but here they are, silver medal winners in Under 15 Deans! This is one of the magnificent results brought about by the “School Zoning”. Best wishes to the winners, the support teams and to those giving their best towards educational excellence. Moses Fong Suva
Mental illness
Fiji has a lot of armchair heart specialists as we all have come to know in recent weeks. They can tell if a person is suffering from heart problems just by looking at them and their weight gain or loss. It is a special talent. I have a special talent as well. I can tell if a person is suffering from mental illness just by listening to what they say and by looking at them. I believe there are a lot of people holding the highest offices in the land who are suffering from mental illness. Shall I name them because they are unaware, and they need to see mental health specialists. Jan Nissar Sydney, Australia
Uniform, sports and border
Change of uniform
During my early days (1990s) in the Fiji Police Force, we were always reminded by our station officer during the lecture days on the topic — be careful of the change of uniform. What he meant was the change of uniform from blue to orange (prisoners uniform). That warning is still very much relevant then, now and into the future. Despite what position one holds or institution one works for, always be reminded of the saying always be careful of the change of uniform. Juki Fong Chew Nadawa, Nasinu
School soccer
Comparing Fiji secondary school IDC with the secondary school rugby, imagine if secondary school rugby gets sponsorship like school IDC Secondary school rugby can be a mini world cup with the atmosphere and crowd compared with secondary school soccer. GEOFFREY CHAND Lautoka
A successful tournament
The Old Capital was a hive of activity as it hosted the 2025 Venu Haulage Shipping Limited and Outback Range Pte Ltd Secondary Schools Hockey National Tournament Finals, with 14 schools battling for glory. The four-day tournament kicked off on Wednesday at Nasau Park in Levuka, featuring the girls and the boys competition in the U16 and U19 categories. The schools competed for the Noal Cup (U16 boys), Melaia Sandys Cup (U16 girls), Westmere Cup (U19 girls), and the Bhasin Cup (U19 boys), along with the John May Cup and Sophia Raddock Cup. Unlike major sports like rugby, football, netball and athletics, hockey is not a popular sport, perhaps because of the structure of the game. I commend Fiji Secondary Schools Hockey Association president Immanuel Prasad and his executive team for doing their level best to revive hockey at secondary school level. I express my sincere thanks and appreciation to Venu Naidu, the general manager for Venu Haulage Shipping Limited and Outback Range Pte Ltd, for supporting a competition that not only builds character, but instills discipline and teamwork. I saw a picture of hockey legend Hector Smith who was billeted at the Old Capital Inn. Smith coaches the Fiji women’s hockey team and has been the pillar of strength for Fiji hockey. He has helped develop the sport, nurturing talents and motivating women hockey players to take up the sport. The glory days of Fiji hockey are being revived! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Colouring in between the lines
President Trump has suggested painting his border wall black so that it will be harder to climb. This is amazing, not the fact that he is going to paint 1127 km (700 miles) of wall black, but that he is going to use actual science to achieve something. Actually, he’s not going to paint it himself but some minimum wage person probably, unless they are already on the other side of the border after ICE had gotten them. It is only neccessary to paint the Mexican side as surely nobody would be escaping from his great country, so that side can stay white or grey but he will probably want it to look “big” and “beautiful”. Is this just another silly distraction or will it happen? It sounds like something from Alice in Wonderland but unfortunately Alice has already been deported. Dennis Fitzgerald Melbourne, Australia