FInal hurdle
Suva Grammar and Marist Brothers High School have reached the climax of the 2022 Vodafone Deans Super competition.
Suva Grammar is chasing the Holy Grail as champions of the Southern Zone, while Marist is riding on glory from defeating the Eastern and Western Zone champions RKS and Ba Provincial in the quarters and semis.
Both sides have lost their key players ahead of the exciting battle, but that’s long forgotten as they aim to capture lost glory.
Grammar and Marist lost the services of Philip Baselala and Jovesa O’Connor, and Izzy Hesaia and Peter Rinakama, respectively.
Suva Grammar last won the title in 2005, while Marist’s last victory came in 1978.
Ironically, both schools shared the spoils with Eastern giants RKS.
Grammar has already secured the Coca-Cola boys division title and a win on Saturday will be the icing on the cake.
However, the red fire and spirit will not be extinguished easily as the ‘iron boys’ from Flagstaff aim to end the losing jinx.
Veteran sports reporter, Maikeli Seru, in his article titled ‘Final hurdle’ (FT 05/10) stated that faith and confidence have been driving the Flagstaff Warriors and this could drive them to wrest the prestigious trophy from the Lions.
They lost 20-10 to Grammar in the final of the Southern Zone and this loss, I’m sure, would motivate and drive them to achieving greater things.
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
Sideline commentators
Honourable Minister Parveen Kumar, stop worrying about “sideline commentators” calling on Government to stop initiatives and income generating projects for youths, as it is the duty of any government in power.
These are all at the expense of taxpayer dollars, donor agencies and the many different forms of loans in the name of smart borrowing.
Maybe, as a past Minister for Local Government shed more light to the ratepayers regarding municipal council elections and the incomplete Lautoka swimming pool.
There was so much comparison about Sri Lanka’s economy and debt, but the International Monetary Fund has preliminarily agreed to extend a 48-month $2.9 billion loan to help restore economic stability.
Likewise, India plans investments across sectors to strengthen link with Sri Lankan economy.
The Australian government is also pouring millions in development assistance.
On the home front, there is still no sign of an election date that will see majority of voters aged 40 or below heading to the polls.
My 5 cents take is the 2022 election will not take place before December 10 since we will have the Prime Minister’s International Business Awards 2022, just saying.
Finally, thank you Shamima Ali for encouraging women vendors at the Namaka market to exercise their right to vote.
The picture says it all (FT2/10- page 4).
Women power at its best.
God bless our women.
Raymond Singh, Golf Links, Lautoka
Bill of rights
IF freedom of expression and the right to privacy, are fundamental rights, recognised in sections 17 and 27 of our Constitution and with the ensuing limiting provisions, enshrined in the Interpretation section therein, should these need to be defined again, in ensuing legislations?
Just posing a question, arising out of a stakeholder’s submission, to a parliament committee, (FT 04/10) on whether Fiji should ratify the Budapest Convention, on cybercrime.
Edward Blakelock, Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour
Political outlook
The long and short of Jan Nissar’s political outlook is that he has no problem with the ruling FijiFirst party and heaps of problems with Opposition parties (FT 5/10).
And, what’s more, according to his “objective” view only “dopeys ” would vote for Opposition parties.
Perhaps Nissar would like Fiji to become a one party state under the ruling FijiFirst party just like China under the Chinese Communist Party?
That is the logical extension of his political outlook on governance in Fiji.
Rajend Naidu, Sydney, Australia
Delai employs
Jittu Estate resident Eroni Delai’s plan to help unemployed youth involved in criminal activities is a way forward towards crime prevention (FT 4/10).
Many youths involved in such activities operate from some hiding places in that area.
Delai, with the help of the Ministry of Employment and police are able to discipline them with awareness sessions.
He is able to provide them with some jobs.
Hopefully, this will help them to earn a living legally.
It’s good to know that the Ministry of Agriculture and others concerned will be able to develop more farms and employ more people to keep them occupied.
This may be one of the ways toward crime prevention.
“An idle mind is a devil’s workshop”.
Tahir Ali, Hamilton, New Zealand
Go Fijiana, go
From the Fijiana 15s performance against Canada, one can see their “can do” spirit when they held the Maple Leaf to a 0-0 draw at half time.
Although they got tired by the second half, one can see their fighting spirit on show.
So expect some great action when they come up against the English Rose this weekend.
Go Fijiana, go!
Norman Yee, Martintar, Nadi
People in power
American country music legend Loretta Lynn (1932-2022) has died.
She was once asked how she would like to be remembered.
She said “As a good person. Someone who never hurt nobody” (Abc world tonight 4/10).
Wonder how many people in power can be remembered that way?
Rajend Naidu, Sydney, Australia
Storage facilities
I read with interest the story which The Fiji Times printed on 01/10/22 (Pg 20) titled “A kimchi crisis”!
I said walla, as I shared with some of my friends something I heard before the coup of 2006, during the late Qarase’s government, the need to have storage facilities on a very large scale where agricultural produce and fruits can be stored, for our local and overseas consumption.
We are approaching our mango season here in the Western Division.
Our stored mango chutneys and kutchlas add flavours to any dish we eat.
Something the Minister for Agriculture and his team can think about if they are reading this letter?
Jioji M Cakacaka, Tadra-Votualevu, Nadi
Deans final
Keep up with your show of the faith Marist.
Believe and nothing will stop you.
Dan Urai, Lautoka
Violent attacks
Those recurring violent attacks.
Thoda baki like Mexican neighbourhoods in the Pacific.
There has to be an underlying matter.
Mohammed Imraz Janif, Natabua, Lautoka
Road humps
The phasing out of road humps to be replaced by speed cameras as in Tamavua Village is a welcome move by the FRA.
However, the removal of that hump has been less than satisfactory, in fact quite unprofessional, resulting in some low hung vehicles still treading slowly over the hump and road users not reaping the outcome they ought to be getting.
If the FRA can get their people to do a seamless job on the spot, then traffic flow will be enhanced and any further issues against traffic flow will then be made obvious.
Mareko Vuli, Wainibuku Rd, Nakasi
Progressive change
I salute Fiji Roads Authority for considering to progressively remove road humps.
These definitely and generally slow down traffic flow.
Speed cameras are the best alternatives.
There are far too many “cow-boy” and irresponsible speeding drivers on our roads.
It is far better catching them.
Repeat offenders (3 quick bookings) should result in mandatory drivers licence suspension for minimum three months.
This should ease over-crowding on our roads.
Fiji has an excessively high number of vehicles which often cause congestion.
Additionally, public transportation standards need to improve many fold to entice more passengers.
Some drivers lack courtesy, tidiness and a pleasant attitude.
Aged buses need to be retired.
Buses need one entry point and one exit point.
This assists greatly in emergencies.
Bus stops must address the handicapped needs.
Ramps are definitely needed for wheel-chairs.
Many bus passages/isles are grossly narrow.
65 passenger capacity needs immediate review.
This is grossly inflated to suit smaller sized passengers.
One size does not suit all.
Better ventilation needs addressing, in most cases, especially when buses are full to capacity.
Body odours can be most irritating and offensive.
Besides, many buses definitely have insufficient leg room.
This can be most uncomfortable for taller travellers.
I have experienced this several times between Nadi and Suva; and Nadi-Lautoka too.
I trust, by sharing the above, our learned authorities will begin to pay some attention to detail needed to properly address passenger comfort and concerns.
Pro-active measures needed now.
It is only human to resist change.
Progressive change, for the better, is inevitable.
Ronnie Chan, Martintar, Nadi
Plea to FRA
My son and I do not agree with the proposal from the FRA to replace road humps with cameras.
Road humps are a physical reality that the drivers can see and slow down.
On the other hand, for drivers, cameras are not a reality and hence possibly not a deterrent.
They are also expensive.
Drivers may continue to speed only to be caught up later with a fine.
Our plea to FRA is please not to go the camera way.
Humps may be crude and old fashioned but it works!
Norman Yee, Martintar, Nadi
