Letters to the Editor – April 15, 2019

Listen to this article:

A reader of The Sunday Times goes through the “Today in History” section of the newspaper. Picture: JOVESA NAISUA

Today in history

In The Sunday Times, there is a segment dedicated to “Today in History”. The section contains excerpts from The Fiji Times from various years. Yesterday (14/4), the front pages from 1958 and 1984 were highlighted. Correct me if I am wrong. In those two years, the price of The Fiji Times was 4 pence and 20 cents respectively. Just the mere comparison of currencies is rich history. I would love to know the price of the first published copy of The Fiji Times in 1869. I would double love to read through it. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka

Host nation

To host a tournament in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, it is not enough for a nation to be a powerbase in the code. A nation needs to have all the necessary facilities. If we compare Fiji and Singapore in the game of sevens, they are worlds apart. Despite Fiji’s status as world beaters in the game of sevens, it is unable to host a leg. On the other hand, Singapore is an unknown commodity in sevens. Yet, it is a host. Our dream will not eventuate from winning tournaments or creating history on the circuit. If our dream of hosting a tournament is to be realised, we have to wake up and meet the requirements. Once these requirements are in place, only then a fullout forceful bid should be made. If Fiji wins the bid, the tournament will be different from all the others. There will not be a single empty seat in the stadium. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka

Congratulations in order

CONGRATULATIONS to Professor Rajesh Chandra on his new appointment as the chancellor and chair of council for the Fiji National University. May God’s grace and truth direct and strengthen you in the important and critical role of Human Resources development that FNU and other educational institutions play in Fiji. FNU will benefit greatly from your vast knowledge and valuable experience both at USP and at the University of Fiji. Leba Ciriyawa Halofaki Marine Drive, Lami

Palm’s day

After Fiji’s win over New Zealand in the quarterfinal match in Singapore, the woman who shared the live game on Facebook was overheard sending her best wishes to everyone saying happy Palms day everyone. Palm Sunday jiko! Cala tale. PITA SOROAQALI Nadarivatu

Urgent need

Contrary to reporter Felix Chaudhary’s assertion that there is “urgent need for bus fare increase” (FT April 12), public transport fares urgently need to be reduced by subsidising bus and taxi operators while tax on private vehicles needs an increase. Otherwise traffic congestion on our major roads will inevitably continue to worsen day by day. Successive governments have permitted ever growing numbers of private cars to exceed the capacity of Fiji’s major roadways. This is not the way the world should be. It makes no sense for a culture of private motoring to prevail on tropical islands where vehicles, fuel and bitumen for roads must all be imported. Private cars have already overwhelmed many small islands in the Pacific circled by coastal roads that could easily be well served by public transport but are practically devoid of buses and taxis. It is sad to see so many vehicles parked in front of shacks on beautiful islands where people struggle to feed and educate their children but must spend excessively on transport where governments have allowed private motoring to become the norm. Willard Miller Suva

Sevens action

I was prepared to go the whole night watching the Singapore 7s. Fiji did extremely well with Canada and suddenly we succumbed to Scotland and South Africa. Canada denied us the ball and played a strategic game and that pass did us in. South Africa is South Africa. They are a fantastic team. I rounded up my grog instruments and called it a night after Fiji’s losses. Early Sunday morning I woke up and Googled the results and the first thing that caught my eye was “Fiji to meet New Zealand in Singapore Cup quarter final”. I was elated. Canada beat the mighty Scotsmen and we progress. Thank you Canada. And I wish to extend good wishes and a speedy recovery to our champion Jerry Tuwai. Thank you team Fiji. Allen Lockington Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka

King of Hong Kong

JERRY Tuwai once quoted that winning in Hong Kong was like winning the World Cup! Since his introduction to So Kon Po, Tuwai has won every Hong Kong 7s series tournament since 2015, a record five in a row! He is the only player who has ever accomplished that feat and it would be extremely difficult for another to match or better Jerry Tuwai. When we look back at the five finals and see the talent of players that Tuwai came up against do we really come to appreciate the man. Scott Curry, Sam Dickson, Tim Mikkelson, Beaudine Waaka, Sherwin Stowers, Joe Webber, Dylan Collier, Rieko Ioane, Sonny Bill Williams, DJ Forbes, Liam Messam, Kurt Baker, Sione Molia, Regan Ware, Pita Ahki, Gillies Kaka, Isaac Te Tamaki, Cecil Afrika, Dewald Human, Ryan Oosthuizen, Zain Davids, Selvyn Davids, Muller du Plessis, Stedman Gans, Injera, Odhiambo, Ambaka, Ouma, Sikuta, and this year’s France squad, all fell to Tuwai! At these finals Tuwai played alongside notable talents in Samisoni Viriviri, Viliama Mata, Leone Nakarawa, Josua Tuisova, Apisai Domolailai, Jasa Veremalua, Isake Katonibau, Semi Kunatani, Osea Kolinisau, Vatemo Ravouvou, Pio Tuwai, Amenoni Nasilasila, Savenaca Rawaca, Raisuqe, Masivesi Dakuwaqa, Kitione Taliga, Sevuloni Mocenacagi, Kalione Nasoko, Mesulame Kunavula, Waisea Nucuqu, Setareki Bituniyata, Nacanieli Labalaba, Joeli Lutumailagi, Josua Vakurinabili, Eroni Sau, Alasio Naduva, Paula Dranisinikula, and this year’s inclusions in Ratu Meli Derenalagi, Apenisa Cakaubalavu, Isoa Tabu, Filimoni Botitu, Aminiasi Tuimaba, Terio Tamani, Livai Ikanikoda and Asaeli Tuivoka. What a great accomplishment by one of the greatest and most humble players we’ve ever come to witness. He is an Olympic gold medallist and the undisputed king of Hong Kong! Respect! SIMON HAZELMAN Rava Estate, Savusavu

Teams plot Fiji’s downfall

WHILE our effort in Hong Kong was a delight to the eye, our pool matches in Singapore were an eyesore. Ironically, the drop in our performance and rhythm happened within one week and at the backdrop of a historic Hong Kong five-in-a-row. Samoa, Argentina, New Zealand, the USA and Australia shifted to running gear in Singapore while we took reverse gear. Two losses in pool play did not augur well with fans and many were left fuming with the lack of commitment and hunger shown by our players. Missed tackles and lack of communication and support play resulted in our losses on Saturday night and the news that we were drawn to play against New Zealand was not pleasing as well. It seemed we drained all our efforts to defend the Hong Kong title as our boys looked tired and played without any direction. Even our courageous captain and our key players Tuimaba, Botitu, Sevu, Livai and Meli delivered performances below par. Another common weakness was our inability to make those big hits and to convert tries even scored close to the post. We owe a big vinaka vakalevu to Canada for playing with the desire and will to defeat Scotland or else we would have been relegated to the trophy competition. Our opponents plotted our downfall and emotionally played with our discipline and denied our boys possession. In addition, Jerry’s departure was a blow and it was evident that experience was missing during the crunch time. The winner of the Singapore 7s would have been decided by now and it is important that a thorough review be carried out as we build up to Tokyo 2020 where we defend our title! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu

Koro’s resilience

A TRUE journalist does what the ethics of journalism require him to do and Sikeli Qounadovu wrote a classic piece in The Sunday Times. Reading the experiences of the villagers at the height of Winston made me emotional, and like the villagers I express my gratitude to The Fiji Times for sharing their plight because it is through our number one newspaper that readers realise that more efforts are needed to assist the villagers. Thank you Sikeli for enlightening us about Koro through your beautiful article! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu

Price difference

I JUST like to find out how the price of camphor (Kapoor) went up from $10-$12 to $29. SUKHA SINGH Labasa

HK campaign

UNLIKE his predecessors, Gareth Baber did not take any overseas based players for the Hong Kong 7s tournament. Conversely, he had lost some from his starting line-up. He still did it. There are some past coaches who have more comments about Fiji sevens team than Baber. I assume Baber is too busy with the team for every now and then media releases. MOHAMMED IMRAZ JANIF Natabua, Lautoka

Consent letter

I ALSO had similar problems. To retrieve a birth certificate copy from the Post Office, how could I get consent letter from my baby son? Or from my wife who is overseas? JOE SMITH Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour, Deuba

Paper straws

IT was funny when I read that some hotels now use paper straws for drinks that will be drunk in big plastic cups. ALLEN LOCKINGTON Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka

Fuel price

I WOULD like to thank the Fijian Competition and Commerce Commission for the reduction in fuel price. In these hard times, this is a big relief for the people and now I have a feeling that we are working in line with the world crude prices. After a long time I have seen the price of super at $2 per litre. Let’s hope this trend continues in the future. NARDEO MISHRA Suva

Rice industry

REVITALISATION of the industry is much needed. However, for the industry to flourish, first identify the cause of its decline. DAN URAI Lautoka

Array
(
    [post_type] => post
    [post_status] => publish
    [orderby] => date
    [order] => DESC
    [update_post_term_cache] => 
    [update_post_meta_cache] => 
    [cache_results] => 
    [category__in] => 1
    [posts_per_page] => 4
    [offset] => 0
    [no_found_rows] => 1
    [date_query] => Array
        (
            [0] => Array
                (
                    [after] => Array
                        (
                            [year] => 2023
                            [month] => 12
                            [day] => 28
                        )

                    [inclusive] => 1
                )

        )

)

No Posts found for specific category