Letters to the Editor – December 15, 2018

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Former captain Jerry Tuwai in action during the Fiji Airways Fiji 7s team’s pool match against England at the Cape Town 7s. Picture: FT FILE

Jerry’s departure

IT will be hard to accept the bitter truth but rugby fans will soon have to come to terms with the departure of our playmaker to the United States.

It is rumoured that Jerry has landed himself an elusive contract and we may not see the nippy but versatile rugger don the white jumper in the WRSS and building up to Hamilton and Sydney.

Definitely a big blow for our national 7s side which is in the re-building phase after the departure of Jasa and Sau!

Jerry, who made his debut on the international stage in 2014 at the Gold Coast 7s, is leaving behind fond memories.

I don’t have too many words but I’d like to express my appreciation, heartfelt gratitude and a big vinaka vakalevu to “little” Jerry for taking the reins of captainship after the departure of Osea Kolinisau and leading Fiji to some sweet victories!

You’ll be missed Jerry but I guess life has to move on!

All the best in your future endeavours Jerry Tuwai!

Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu

Low-hanging fruits

GROWING up in a traditional Fijian setting during my formative years, among other things I learnt that “low-hanging fruits” were a sign of a looming cyclone and we were told to be on the lookout for the next change of wind.

Today, I read that committed members of Parliament were holed up for 48 hours because they were strategising about delivering those “low hanging fruits” to the people (FT 14/12).

If my old man was still around, he would have sneered because that’s the excuse we children used when we arrived home late.

Anyway, we are in the cyclone season right now, so let’s keep safe, and be watching the horizon for those winds of change.

Samu Railoa, Tailevu

Democratic process

I BELIEVE the two party leaders — Sitiveni Rabuka of SODELPA and Biman Prasad of NFP — have every right to proceed with the legal process if there is any doubt about the conduct of the whole election process.

I am grateful that the Government of the day has that provision in law that if any party is not satisfied with any section of the election process, the party or the candidate has every right to seek justice by legal means.

This is exactly what the two leaders have decided to do after getting various reports from their candidates and supporters.

I also believe that one of the letter writers, Simon Hazelman of Savusavu (FT 11/12), should have a bit of patience and wait for the results of investigations and court hearing.

Attacking the two leaders is not proper at all at this stage.

In fact, everyone has the privilege to exercise their democratic rights.

After this petition being filed, there is a lot of suspense and curiosity in the public now.

Once this is clarified by legal means, we all should be satisfied and move on with our normal life.

Vijay Maharaj, Navua

Tough mission

MY best wishes to the Rugby Academy of Fiji under-18 team as the boys gear up to take part in the World Schools 7s tournament in NZ and play the NZ school boys.

My heartfelt gratitude to our former Flying Fijians Seremaia Bai and Alfred Uluinayau for coaching the teams and for looking after the players’ welfare and I’m confident that this tournament will bring out our future 7s prospects!

Toso Viti, toso!

By the way, it was a joy seeing former All Blacks star and our own Joeli Vidiri helping promote healthy living through sports.

The NZ Sports for Health program ambassador was part of the group that taught the newly-introduced game of Quick Rip Rugby and encouraged healthy living among Fijians.

Vinaka Vidiri!

Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu

Sevens visa

CONGRATULATIONS to our Fiji 7s team, coach Baber and all the support staff members for the magnificent, glorious Fijian 7s rugby at its best in Cape Town last weekend.

In Dubai, the USA sevens team starved our boys of the ball and ill-discipline cost us the cup semi-final game but our boys still managed to take up the fifth spot playoff.

But in the Cape Town final with USA, our boys were just magic, winning the cup in style!

My point is that our Fiji 7s team are on the roll and Fiji 7s supporters who have the funds should go ahead and apply for visas to watch and support the boys in the upcoming popular 2019 leg in Hamilton, NZ from January 26-27, Sydney, Australia from February 1-3, Las Vegas, USA from March 1-3 and Vancouver, Canada from March 9-10.

To Fijians who have been dreaming to one day board an airplane and fly overseas, this HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series is the perfect opportunity if you have sufficient funds and strong ties such as work, assets, business, farm, plantation and property that will bring you back.

Just add me as your friend on Facebook or Messenger if you have any questions because I have helped those whose visa applications have been rejected to be granted.

After Dubai and Cape Town, I can say with all confidence that our Fiji 7s team will continue to rise and win the HSBC 2018/19 World Rugby Series.

Go Fiji, go!

Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa, Suva

Two-day meeting

THE two-day important meeting saga indicates that the Government don’t need to meet in hotels or resorts in future.

Dan Urai, Lautoka

The rise of Koroibete

MARIKA Koroibete’s biography was a beauty as I read it over and over again and empathised with the difficulties endured by the Wallabies star to become a household name in rugby 15s.

Koroibete described his beautiful upbringing and the role his parents, village and culture played to shape his success.

Indeed, I agree with the gasman that it’s pretty emotional thinking back to being a little boy.

He was taught to respect his elders and to work hard and I loved this timely reminder from Marika’s dad — “I don’t want you guys to be in the same position as me, I want you to study and get a better life.

I want you to be successful in life.”

Great words of wisdom!

Koroibete also described his difficulties of attending an urban school and the obstacles that he had to put up to mould his rugby career.

Hence, Koroibete fulfilled his dream and secured a rugby league contract but he did not forget his roots and his parents.

These lines from his biography were so heart-touching: “Now I’ve built them a house, exactly where our old house was, and bought them a 4WD. That’s the blessing from God coming back to them. When we talk about how far I’ve come, my mum always cries. My dad says it’s in God plans, from all the hard work and sacrifice they made back in the day. I believe that too.”

Koroibete’s story must be shared with our aspiring ruggers so that they know that hard work and humility will always be rewarded by the good Lord.

Thank you Koroibete for sharing a small piece of your wonderful past and for standing by your parents when they needed you the most!

Hope to see you shine in that green and gold jumper!

Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu

Go Parker

DESPITE having back-to-back defeats, New Zealanders and Pacific Islanders will have all eyes on Joseph Parker when he clashes with Alexander Flores tonight.

I have always admired his professionalism on and off the ring and will hope he will bounce back and emerge victorious in Auckland.

Best of luck to one of the most humble personalities in the sporting world.

Raynav Chand, Nakasi

Wild animals

MOHAMMED Imraz Janif’s letter about annoying macaques (FT 14/12) leaves us no alternative but to round up wild dogs and fence them.

They are a menace to humans and if we are not careful, they will also be aggressive and annoying if not already.

Act now!

Amenatave Yaconisau, Palm Drive, Delainavesi

Why the fear

IF you have not done any wrong, please do not shy away from receiving any kind of summons.

Why the fear?

Ramesh Sharma, Nasinu

Poll results

IN the end it was the collective and not individual votes that mattered.

Dan Urai, Lautoka

Cape Town win

CONGRATULATIONS are in order for our well-deserved win in the Cape Town 7s.

Thanks for making us proud.

A special thanks to the coach as well.

We are right behind you in terms of prayers and motivation.

Keep going and improving.

May God bless you all.

Kirti Patel, Lautoka

Well informed

I MUST say I am very impressed with the way The Fiji Times has been reporting on the unfolding drama surrounding the petition against the 2018 General Election results to keep the public fully informed on what’s been going on.

A well informed public can of course draw its own conclusion on what’s behind the drama.

Rajend Naidu, Sydney

Brighter side

GOVERNMENT ministers had a 48-hour meeting and a lot of people criticised them for having that meeting.

On the brighter side just imagine the cost saved by not having that meeting in a hotel. Just imagine the savings of taxpayers’ money.

Maybe next time Government will decide to have another meeting at Shirley Park in Lautoka or maybe the Kava Place parliamentarians can host them?

Narayan Reddy, Lautoka

Fire alarm

THE Government ministers failed to adhere to the fire alarm that triggered at Suvavou House.

Can they be charged for breach under the provisions of OHS laws?

How do our Government expect the people to follow fire warning if they themselves disregarded the fire alarm?

John Brown, Drasa Vitogo, Lautoka

New look

VERY impressed with the resurfacing of footpath in the Capital City.

Can we have the same in all other towns and cities.

A Shariff Shah, Savusavu

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