Marist 7s set to kick off
The much-awaited Marist 7s tournament kicks off this weekend and will add spice to another sporting weekend.
The latest I read is that our 7s kingpin and WRSS 2019 best 7s player Jerry Tuwai has formed his own club.
Hence, the Flourishing Design Studio Barbarian Brothers 7s team will rub shoulders with defending champions Police, Yamacia and Naviavia Gladiators in pool 10.
Furthermore, Suva’s Taniela Sadrugu and Jiuta Wainiqolo, Naitasiri’s Anasa Qaranivalu, Kitione Salawa, Aisea Tamanikaiwaimaro and Kaminieli Rasaku will join 7s veterans Pio Tuwai and Olympics gold medallist Vatemo Ravouvou for the Barbarian Brothers making them a formidable and explosive side. I wish the organisers all the best!
To the teams that will take part in the Marist 7s, prepare well for clean, free-flowing and enterprising rugby. I’m eager for 7s action after the WRSS was called off.
Finally, congratulations to Napolioni Ratu and Aminiasi Tuimaba for being named in the HSBC WRSS Dream Team alongside NZ’s Scott Curry, France’s Tavite Veredamu, South Africa’s JC Pretorius and Selvyn Davids and Ireland’s Jordan Conroy! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
Emergency phone numbers
I write to respond to Satish Nakched’s letter on emergency phone numbers (FT 12/09).
The National Fire Authority (NFA) acknowledges Mr Nakched’s concerns raised in his letter.
Responding to his concerns on whether the minister has any knowledge that most of the emergency numbers, including NFA’s number are at times unanswered at all, NFA wishes to inform Mr Nakched that in case of any fire or rescue emergency, the honourable Premila Devi Kumar; Minister for Local Government, Housing and Community Development is the first to be informed immediately as and when every major fire emergency call is received by NFA.
The NFA has launched the 910 Fire emergency line so that the public is able to contact NFA directly when there is a fire or rescue emergency.
Calls made to 911 are received by the nearest police station from the place of call. If emergency messages from 911 are not relayed to 910 or NFA on time, the NFA’s response will be delayed to the emergency scene.
Every NFA control room are manned 24 hours by officers who are trained to receive calls, dispatch crews for emergency, and monitor control room systems for any emergency. The control rooms have two or more than two officers who are always on alert for any rescue or emergency call that comes into the control room.
The NFA also has a three-ring policy in place where officers should receive any call before it goes beyond the third ring. The calls automatically transferred to the next available operator if one particular person is busy on the line. PUAMAU SOWANE National Fire Authority CEO
False information
I listen to Radio Fiji 2 at home until I go to the office around 10am. There has been an advisory that has been on the radio numerous times a day.
It is that we should not trust the false information on social media about COVID-19. I am not sure if the responsible people have to take the advisory off the air or if the advisory is still relevant.
I seldom go to social media. So, I have no idea what the false information is or which social medium is spreading this false information and why it is false.
And what is the correct information? If the advisory is no longer relevant, it should not be aired. If it is still relevant, then further information on the matters I have raised is important so the listeners are not left wondering. Arvind Mani Nadi Drowning stats The recent spate of 31 deaths by drowning has sent shock waves throughout the Fijian community.
It is true that not all deaths by drowning can be attributed to carelessness. Other unexpected factors also contribute to this painful experience.
Affected families are distraught and left to come to terms with the reality of death. My deep condolences to the families affected.
May the souls of those who drowned rest in peace! DEWAN CHAND Donu Place, Namadi Heights, Suva
Gold fish attraction
On a regular visit to a neighbour’s home, a young son got attracted to the new addition in the sitting room.
An aquarium with two goldfish. He was intrigued and wanted to take one goldfish home. He kept on insisting and promised to take good care of the one which was lighter in colour.
According to him, it may be sick. His dramatic pleas did not make it past the net.
When back at home, his parents caught him with a goldfish in his pocket.
His mother questioned angrily: “Why did you bring this goldfish?”
The son replied: “The darker one is 24 karat!” MOHAMMED IMRAZ JANIF Natabua, Lautoka
Taxidrivers’ safety
Can the safety of taxidrivers be paramount? They are as equal as any other and their hard work should not go to waste because of people who have no regard for rules and their safety.
What is the harm in installing cameras in taxis for the safety of drivers and passengers? Far too many cases have happened where drivers were assaulted and robbed.
The recent cases of passengers not paying after hiring taxis do not help the situation at all. The taxi union is coming up with all they can for the betterment and safety of their drivers.
Maybe listening and trying to understand them will sort out many issues. Some people simply do not want to listen thus the loud noises follow. Illegal taxis are another menace that needs to be sorted.
These are not new issues, rather some writers may seem like broken records emphasising this but for how long will this carry on? I am sure taxidrivers have a long list of complaints which keeps escalating.
One just has to put themselves in their shoes for a while to understand their plight and frustration.
Let’s hope the authorities are active and assures the safety of both our drivers and passengers. KIRTI PATEL Lautoka
Price negotiation
I read with great interest the F/T (23/9) front page article titled “Step taxi on the rise”. The suggestion by the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre co-ordinator to show compassion when dealing with issues relating to taxi fare payments is much appreciated. It is also understandable with the economic scenario we are facing these kind of situations are bound to happen.
However, food for thought, perhaps, and one way to overcome this would be to negotiate the price between the cabby and the passenger and not to use the taxi meter.
I believe similar is the practice when people are using pirate taxis.
While cabbies are already working on reduced income because of the COVID-19 crisis, this suggestion would probably be a win-win situation for both. PRANIL RAM Votualevu, Nadi
Sevens rugby
Greetings to letter writer Jan Nissar, of Carlton, NSW, Australia. As per your claims (FT 22/9) that you are a realist, I believe, is far from the truth. You never responded to my past two letters.
Nevertheless, just a timely reminder to you that your so called Mickey Mouse 7s rugby that should not be played is starting with a bang with the biggest 44th Fiji Bitter Marist 7s this week.
Likewise World Rugby’s 7s Player of the Year, Jerry Tuwai aims to play at his second Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, next year by turning down a lucrative professional playing contract in the United States.
I bet that you have no guts to ask the Fiji Rugby Union or for that matter, the Government of the day to remove 7s rugby as a sport in Fiji.
Better still, do an opinion poll from the Fijian population, for the 7s version to be removed. I will pay for all the costs. Realistically, you will become the laughing stock of all Fijians to remove 7s rugby.
Last time, my two words for you “shut up” this time round is for you to go and take a hike into the Blue Mountains of Sydney as summer is fast approaching.
Go Fijian 7s rugby, you beauty! TOMASI NANUQA Tavakubu, Lautoka
