Sevens indiscipline
Thank you Gareth Baber for sticking to your guns in this brand new year, 2021. Indiscipline in 7s rugby must not allow itself to rear its ugly head, again and again. Older and more experienced players must lead by example. This is paramount. Nothing less. Fiji has been let down badly on numerous occasions, both locally and on international outings. Yellow and red cards bring Fiji much shame. Such indisciplined players are a huge liability. Enough is enough. Give younger, consistent and disciplined players greater chances to shine.
RONNIE CHANG Martintar Nadi
Underwhelming display
With the focal point being discipline of future and current national sevens players, the fi rst leg of the Super 7s Series was an eyesore. I doubt if the same occurs during scrimmage and training sessions. On match day, I think the players get carried away by the festival atmosphere created by the fans and cameras. My particular focus is on those things which even a lower primary school child would classify as brainless. Sevens rugby is our national game. We will not win each and every game but losing due to indiscipline is intolerable. There has to be a time when positive alterations receive an open arm accommodation. The Super 7s Series and other local tournaments are fi ercely contested. They should be used to prepare players to target under- whelming display of indiscipline. As for that former Fiji and current Australian boy who has been consistently regurgitating and swallowing puke, I hope he understands madrai chamu. That is for the better, nutritious local breakfast for thought.
MOHAMMED IMRAZ JANIF Natabua, Lautoka
Police Blue wins title
Congratulations to the Police Blue side for winning the fi rst round of the FRU Super 7s Series that concluded at Lawaqa Park on Saturday. While the day belonged to Police Blue, which had the services of a host of current and former national 7s reps such as Keponi Paul, Samisoni Viriviri, Waisea Nacuqu, Terio Tamani, Suliano Volivoli and Apenisa Cakaubalavu, I salute the efforts of the boys donning the Raiwasa Taveuni outfi t, who made the fi nal without any big names. These boys played their hearts out only to lose in the fi nal by two points. Police Blue dedicated the win to their cook Manoa Qorotolu, who passed away before the battle at Lawaqa Park. On the other hand, while I was impressed with the standard of competition, it was sad to see our icons and national 7s reps such as Terio Tamani, Asaeli Tuivuaka, Josua Vakurinabili and Sevuloni Mocenacagi sent to the sin bin. Mocenacagi’s case was severe as he was red-carded twice and he has been suspended from all levels of rugby for 12 matches. I guess it’s high time that Sevu learns to take control of his temper. As I conclude, I salute photographer Jonacani Lalakobau for capturing a wonderful and breathtaking shot on the front page of The Sunday Times! Wananavu!
RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Balgovind Rd, Nadawa, Nasinu
Nadi Town
It was announced some time last year that the main street of Nadi Town was returning to two-way traffic. Unfortunately nothing happened although we are in the New Year. At this stage I don’t think many people know if and when those publicly announced changes which also includes other routes besides the main street would materialise. I don’t think you should have made the announcement if you were not ready. I personally believe that you very carefully take into account all the pros and cons before you move to make any further changes. At this juncture, I would like to know as to what you were going to do with the continually blinking traffi c lights which also has not been tested near the market. In my view this light is unnecessary. I have said it before and I repeat that unless you create more roads and bridges our town’s traffi c congestion is not going to go away. I don’t think the present system is any good. May I leave it to you to decide and come up with better solution? Thank you.
SURESH CHAND Nadi
Frontline workers
I have been a temporary resident of the men’s medical ward at our Lautoka Hospital for the past two weeks because of a sudden illness. The Lautoka Hospital has been under immense pressure because of its COVID-19 responsibilities and provide medical care and treatment of its fellow Fijians. I take my hat off to all fellow frontline healthcare workers from the emergency to men’s medical ward which are mostly women and not forgetting the Grid Security offi cers who monitor the movement of people within the vicinity of the hospital. I had made few friends during my admission at the hospital not forgetting the hardworking nurses such as Bhavna of Kabisi, Sigatoka, brother Siga, the men’s medical ward assistant, two hardworking ladies from Eagle Cleaning Services and other female and male nurses whom I forgot to mention their names. Dr Simran Ali and Dr Wong who always checked on me from time to time including the other intern doctors. One has to be a patient to see the immense pressure that these frontline healthcare workers are facing every day and at least a thank you or pat at the back would ease the pressure.
JIOJI MASIVESI CAKACAKA Tadra- Votualevu, Nadi
Child labour
ILO project officer Victoria Yee shared via The Fiji Times (22/01) that children were engaged in forms of child labour such as market vending, car wash attendants, selling coconuts, bus checkers and shoe shine workers. It’s sad that at night we witness children moving around with roti parcels, broom and bu to be sold to help their families meet their needs and wants. Child labour has existed, and today is a reality of the new normal. Children have little option, but to indulge in child labour to ensure survival in a tough economic situation which is created by rising unemployment, rising poverty and family breakup.
RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Balgovind Rd, Nadawa, Nasinu
OUR SAY: Single dads and shark
Single fathers
I would like to thank all the fathers around the world and especially those in Fiji who are doing a great job in raising their children without their wives. Not all fathers are divorcees. Many fathers have lost the love of their lives through road accidents, cancer, health and other issues. Hats off and a big vinaka vakalevu to those dads. You are the real heroes. Not all fathers remarry because they know that no stepmother will fi ll the void left by their partner. Some dads are police offi cers, military personnel, farmers, teachers, taxi and bus drivers, some are even mechanics and many of them work in trade jobs in factories. If people think mothers are everything then you are wrong. There must be dads around your community who have lost their wives. Yet, the struggle they go through to educate their children is never told or talked about. The thing is nobody talks about the pillar on which houses rest, people only talk about the beauty of the house and how well it is decorated. Dad’s are like those pillars. They never get the recognition they deserve. Those single dads out there are role models. Working at an offi ce or a trade job and then cooking, looking after children is not an easy task. Some fathers just have their kids to be with after a hard day at work. Thank you for your contribution to this world.
AMRIT SINGH Nausori
High shark population
I find it rather unfortunate that many marine policymakers have no idea about Fiji’s shark population. How do they know for sure that shark population in Fiji is declining? How and what made them decide to ban shark fi shing in Fiji? One needs to have spent lots of time out or in our Fiji waters to know for fact that we have far far too many sharks in our waters. Spotting sharks each time one goes out to sea is a norm. Sharks are so rampant throughout our waters and a real nuisance to fi shermen, divers, and swimmers alike. There is huge economic potential for shark meat and shark fi ns and it’s a great time to allow the capture and sale of shark fi n and meat. Mariners call sharks “sea dogs” because like wild dogs, they are dangerous, unpredictable, and a real menace. Open the shark fl oodgates and make use of what we have, at least until sightings become rare again! A shark will not hesitate and kill you given the opportunity. As the saying goes, you are either a shark or a fi sh in the ocean! Open it up for at least the next fi ve to six years and decide then whether to continue of ban it for a few years.
SIMON HAZELMAN Rava Estate, Savusavu
QUICK VIEWS
Discipline
The sevens series is an opportunity to siphon off from the Fiji sevens team players who lack discipline. Jerry Tuwai’s concern is a serious one as it is a problem in past tournaments. It’s almost impossible to win with six players in a sevens tournament. It is also an opportune time to identify hard clean tacklers and effi cient goalkickers .
DAN URAI Lautoka
Poor network
Can local banks please ensure their EFTOPS machines distributed to outlets are operational 24/7? It’s embarrassing in a supermarket when your card doesn’t work because of zero connectivity especially when you are purchasing beer. I was madua much!.
NISHANT SINGH Lautoka
Club soccer
Recently we saw only six clubs taking part in the national club championship which was a shame for soccer lovers. I believe club soccer is virtually dead at district level and Fiji FA should be blamed for this. There are two vice-presidents each from the West, East and North but none of them ever visit the districts. I was very pleased to see what Lautoka FA has started for the young boys and girls this year and Fiji FA should follow that and encourage all districts to do the same if they really want to improve soccer in the country. The offi cials must know that they are there for soccer and not for their own benefi ts and act for the good of soccer. Let’s see the improvement in soccer from this year.
NARDEO MISHRA Suva
Vaccine
Is government by any chance interested in the Chinese vaccines for COVID-19?
MOHAMMED IMRAZ JANIF Natabua, Lautoka
Our roads
Our roads are a national shame, asked Rajen Naidu from Australia. May I ask him when was it not?
SHARIF SHAH Savusavu
Marijuana
Were the “green plants” unearthed in Kandavau (FT 20/1) used for compost?
CHRISTOPHER GRIFFIN Perth, Australia
Falling numbers
Fiji Nursing and Associates Credit Union should seriously do something about the falling numbers in its membership. The strength of a trade union lies in its membership, and losing members will affect any trade union as it will lack numbers in activities that are carried out. Food for thought for the executives!
RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Balgovind Rd, Nadawa, Nasinu
