Police breaks drought
The national stadium was a sea of blue as Police broke a 34-year drought to down Wardens Gold in the final of the 43rd Fiji Bitter Marist Rugby 7s tournament.
The Blue outfit was dominant in pool play and showed composure to defeat defending champions Tabadamu in the quarter-final and Ratu Filise, who had last tasted victory in 1997, in the semis.
The tournament lived up to expectations despite the rain and fans enjoyed free flowing rugby.
For me two former national 7s reps Nasilasila and Ikanikoda, and Kurisaru and Douglas stood out as they guided their teams and made their presence felt when their team needed steam, guidance and a leader and I believe that Ikanikoda has the skills and experience to replace Nacuqu.
Finally, congratulations to Ratu Filise, Marist Sea Hawks, Ravuka Sharks, Tabadamu Blue, Police White and Police Blue for winning the under-20 women’s shield bowl, plate and cup titles respectively!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
Our rugby players
Rugby players of Fijian descent have made it into other fifteens and sevens national teams.
More so, sevens.
Fiji has been battling against the part New Zealand Fijians team in the World Rugby sevens circuit over the years.
The latest, Russia.
Waisale Serevi has openly declared his desire of having Fijian players in his team.
If he has his way, will it be a Russijian or Fijussian sevens team?
Mohammed Imraz Janif, Natabua, Lautoka
Public space
I DROVE past a nightclub yesterday around 10.30am.
On the footpath just beside the club door were a few guys.
Some of them were drinking yaqona while a few others were passing a glass of what appeared to be beer.
Isn’t the footpath a public place?
Sailosi Batiratu, Suva
First-aid kit
The provision and management of first-aid kits in the workplace here in Fiji is a real problem.
As we all know, a first-aid kit is a collection of basic emergency supplies and equipment that is used to give immediate medical treatment.
As long and as far back as I can remember, first-aid kits in our workplaces are always empty.
The very day it is replenished is the very day it is diminished.
This occupational health and safety (OHS) requirement has become more of a liability than a necessity.
Only in Fiji!
Simon Hazelman, Rava Estate, Savusavu
Important issue
I believe it is indeed sad news that when people raise their concerns to government officials, the replies they get are either, “your concern is not under my ministry” or “I am here for a different purpose”.
The article on The Fiji Times 23/03 titled “Tears shed for school repairs” highlighted a typical example of the problem highlighted above, where the people of Yacata raised their concerns about the rehabilitation works that was done in their primary school some time early in 2018 and so far, the work is still yet to be completed.
The article covers that 14 months ago, students and teachers were moved temporarily out of the school compound to allow building works to take place, however, at present the work is still incomplete and teachers with the students of Yacata are suffering silently because of such delay.
All teachers are billeted in one house and those who are married have to leave their family behind for they do not have a place to stay.
In addition, according to the village headman, Jone Vakatale, their children cannot learn or study properly when their classes are next to each other in a small place and teachers have struggled to hold composite classes accommodated in makeshift classrooms.
I would humbly request the Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama, to take this issue seriously, if he wants us, the citizens of this country, to believe in his words that his Government is a government for all the people of this beloved nation.
Kositatino Tikomaibolatagane, Vuninokonoko Rd, Navua
More taxis
The increased number of taxis on our already overloaded towns and city roads was a political decision which I believe failed to achieve its intention.
Dan Urai, Lautoka
Valuable advice
The ACCF CEO has given valuable advice to the public about wills.
The reason people do not make wills is that we anticipate to live a normal life.
A normal life which will include all stages of human growth up to becoming a senior citizen.
It is in this period that people start to make wills.
The CEO advised people by saying, “If you die”.
Using “if” symbolises death as uncertain.
However, death is certain.
We will pass away one day.
Instead, it should be “when you die”.
Using “when” makes it precise.
Our death is not “if”, it is “when”.
Mohammed Imraz Janif, Natabua, Lautoka
Rugby League
I compliment the organisers of the National Secondary Schools Rugby League for taking out the quarters to Tavua.
The competition was a hit as QVS, Nasinu, Ba Provincial and Rt Navula stamped their mark in the under-19 grade.
Sadly, RKS was bundled out in the quarters by Rt Navula.
The semis at the stadium should be a cracker just as the Lautoka/Yasawa athletics zone which was won by Natabua and Jasper!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
Beards change
Sometimes I wonder how a beard changes the looks of a person if you compare with a clean-shaven one.
Nardeo Mishra, Suva
No visas
If the US can “deny visas to any ICC personnel investigating possible war crimes by US forces in Afghanistan” or “to deter ICC to pursue allied personnel, including Israelis” (UN experts rebuke US “threats”, visa bans on ICC investigators FT 23/3) it can impose visa bans on anybody — especially a nobody like yours truly!
And, the US is supposed to be the world leader of democracy, upholding international norms of good State conduct?
I believe that’s not reflected in the arbitrary way the US State conducts itself.
The UN condemnation is therefore quite understandable.
Rajend Naidu, Sydney, Australia
Cashless economy
I believe the Government’s greater financial inclusion initiative of a cashless economy will affect those roadside vendors who pop up once in a while to sell excess produce from subsistence farming.
I believe the system will end up being a financial exclusion for the poor.
Mohammed Imraz Janif, Natabua, Lautoka
Hong Kong 7s
As we look forward to the coming Hong Kong 7s next month, there are just some boxes that are not ticked or checked at this stage.
Whenever Fiji meets either New Zealand or Aussie teams in the quarter-finals of any World Rugby sevens sanctioned tournament and once Fiji proceeds from there to the semi-final stages, I believe Fiji always gets a referee from these two neighbouring countries to referee those crucial games.
This is what I mean, if Fiji beats Australia in the quarter-final and then goes on to play NZ in the semis, there will be an Australian referee refereeing that Fiji/NZ game in the semis and so forth.
FRU should not allow that to happen.
FRU should ask for a referee from outside these two neighbouring countries to ensure that there is fair play.
Both these two bigger and advanced neighbouring countries are always humiliated when they are defeated by a minnow like Fiji so a neutral referee outside these two neighbours is very much required when it comes to those crunch matches.
Did you know that a referee can dictate which team wins or which team loses a match?
If you watch the replay of how Waisea Nacuqu copped that head injury from an Australian player, the tackler hit Nacuqu in the face.
It was not a tackle but the intent was heavily bodily harm and it was also deemed a high tackle, however, the referee and the linesman completely turned a blind eye to that and even our coach and FRU should have picked that up and taken it up with the match officials of that day.
Perhaps, FRU should also answer these questions, how come there is no Fijian referee officiating as a referee in the World Rugby series right now as Fiji is one of the top three countries in the world hierarchy of sevens, therefore, we have every right to have one of our local referees officiating in it.
In my opinion, the local referee that officiated in the recent Marist final between Police and Wardens at the national stadium in Suva was world-class and he did a great job simply because he was not favouring any team but simply applying the laws of rugby as it should be.
Waisea Navuruvuru, Nasoso, Nadi Airport
