ETUATE “Honda” Gusuivalu still has fresh memories of a picture that appeared on the back page of The Fiji Times on March 27, 1985 where he was pictured with the late Sanivalati Laulau prior to their departure for the Hong Kong Invitation 7s.
Now enjoying his retirement from the Fiji Police Force at his Naboutini Village in Serua, the former national 7s winger has some advice to share with our national 7s team as they prepare for the Hong Kong 7s tournament in a fortnight’s time.
“Rugby now has become professional and this is why money comes first for our players,” Honda said from his Serua home on Friday.
“This is a major difference compared to our time where money was not a priority, we played for the vanua, and there was no allowance and no pay for the players.
“During our time, rugby 7s as well was not too common like nowadays and there were not many international teams taking part like it is now.”
Honda said for the national 7s team to keep winning on the international rugby 7s circuit, there was a need to consistently improve teamwork and do away with individual play as sometimes can be the case.
He said respect was also an important component of a rugby player and this was something that determined victory on the field.
The survivors from their lot are Acura Niuqila, Paulo Nawalu, Semi Talawadua and Honda while Dominiko Manaseitava, Laulau and Aleposo Waqailiti have passed on.
Bloodthirsty riot — police
Saturday’s riot by a gang of youths at Naqara was “uncontrollable”, violent and bloodthirsty, said a police prosecutor in Taveuni Court yesterday.
Eighteen men and six juveniles appeared before the Chief Magistrate, Mr Gordon Ward, on charges of unlawful assembly, rioting, stoning and damaging property.
Twenty-two pleaded guilty and two denied the charges.
Insurance firms to ask for 300pc hike
Insurance companies are seeking premium increase of up to 300 per cent for cyclone cover.
The companies would be unable to renew hurricane covers for existing policies unless the Prices and Incomes Board approved the increases, said the chairman of the Underwriters Association of Fiji, Mr Ron Jackson, in Suva yesterday.
Mr Jackson said a submission asking for increase in premium was put to the PIB a fortnight ago requesting a decision “as soon as possible”, as companies were considering adjusting their April renewals.
Radio Fiji plans FM city station
Radio Fiji is planning an FM radio station for people living in Suva and its surrounding areas.
The station will be called “Capital City Radio” and will be managed by the Fiji Broadcasting Commission.
The chairman of FBC, Dr Isoa Bakani, said yesterday that important decisions had to be made before the project was given a final approval.
Poso promises mum 7s victory
National rugby sevens captain to Hong Kong, Aleposo Waqailiti yesterday promised his mother to win the Hong Kong Sevens title for her before the team flew out of Nadi Airport aboard an Air New Zealand flight.
Waqailiti’s mother, along with about 100 relatives and friends, gathered at the airport to farewell the unofficial world sevens champions on the first leg of their journey. The team flew via Auckland and spent the night in Sydney last night. They will arrive in Hong Kong this evening to defend their title.
Veteran is tipped to lead T/Naitasiri
Veteran Govind Lal is expected to again lead Tailevu Naitasiri this season.
Lal is among four players from his All Blacks club who have been included in the Tailevu Naitasiri district team.
Two titles at stake
Boxing fans will be treated to two title fights on the Burning West Promotions programme featuring Sakaraia Ve and Philip Kating of Vanuatu.
Matchmaker Sadhu Singh has Ve and Kating billed for a 10-round light-middleweight contest at the National Gymnasium on April 13.
As main supporting bouts, the programme will feature Sivinia Koroi and Tusai fighting over 12 rounds for the Fiji Boxing Council vacant middle-weight belt.
AT A GLANCE
1794 – The US Congress authorised the creation of the US Navy.
1802 – The Treaty of Amiens was signed ending the French Revolutionary War.
1836 – The first Mormon temple was dedicated in Kirtland, OH.
1841 – The first steam fire engine was tested in New York City.
1860 – The corkscrew was patented by ML Byrn.
1866 – US President Andrew Johnson vetoed the civil rights bill, which later became the 14th amendment.
1884 – The first long-distance telephone call was made from Boston to New York.
1899 – The first international radio transmission between England and France was achieved by the Italian inventor G Marconi.
1931 – Actor Charlie Chaplin received France’s Legion of Honour decoration.
1933 – About 55,000 people staged a protest against Hitler in New York City.
1941 – Tokeo Yoshikawa arrived in Oahu, HI, and began spying for Japan on the US Fleet at Pearl Harbour.
1942 – The British raided the Nazi submarine base at St Nazaire, France.
1946 – Four-month long strikes at both General Electric and General Motors ended with a wage increase.
1952 – The US Eighth Army reached the 38th parallel in Korea, the original dividing line between the two Koreas.
1958 – Nikita Khrushchev became the chairman of the Soviet Council of Ministers in addition to First Secretary of the Communist Party.
1958 – The U.S. announced a plan to explore space near the moon.
1976 – Washington, DC, opened its subway system.
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