Our emotional connection with 7s rugby
Such is the emotional connection that we have with rugby that fans and members of the public go all out berserk when Fiji loses. We have won the World Cup, the World Sevens Series and the Olympics whilst the Commonwealth has always alluded us. It’s tough to remain at the top in any sport and for the Fiji 7s team it’s a learning curve. They have some new players and it will take a lot mentally to perform at the highest level. Losing is punishment enough for players and being criticised and ridiculed by fans and enthusiasts (some who have never held a rugby ball in their life nor run around for 14 minutes while being tackled and smothered) makes it even worse. Fans should take a lesson from the Minister of Finance and “relax”. Don’t watch the live telecast if you’ll be emotionally overwhelmed with a loss, go to bed early, open the news feed the next morning and watch the highlights if they win. If they lose, simply move along. Save yourself the stress and anxiety of trying to win a tournament that you have no control over and will never play. Sarasara ga, kua ni jilo. Sailosi Naewe Naduru Rd, Nausori
My apology
Having just had the opportunity to read up on the Fiji Rugby Union’s interim CEO Tevita Tuiloa’s most recent statements, I wish to now apologise for my comments on our Fiji 7s team’s lack-lustre performances, of late. I can see clearly now. Thank you for courageously highlighting our 7s ambassadors are being treated unfairly. Your predecessor, it appears, badly failed to address FRU’s many shortfalls pertaining to our 7s teams. A truly sad, sad situation. How many others “totally overlooked” such injustices? Our 7s players deserve much better. We now trust you and your call interim FRU chief executive Tevita Tuiloa to professionally address the FRU 7s shortcomings accordingly. “Noqu cala; noqu cala; noqu cala levu sara. Au kerea na veivosoti.” Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
Men’s 7s team
Fijians are such bad losers because we can never accept defeat. Winning is in our blood and whenever our team lose, we cannot accept the results and always look for someone to cop the blame! While we have the best team in the world, I guess that main reasons for our loss in the quarter-finals including some pool matches must be regarding players’ welfare. If our boys are not properly paid, why should they give their best to make us happy, when they are not properly remunerated? These are the kind of questions we should ask if our team is not performing to our expectation? Headline in Fiji Times 07/03/23, says it all? Why don’t we contribute $2 each (minimum) from each die-hard fan? We might be 800,000 plus fan x $2 = $1.6 million to top it off in their proposed $15,000 per contracted player per annum. At least current acting FRU chief executive Tevita Tuiloa has the guts to tell the truth. Jioji M Cakacaka Tadra, Votualevu, Nadi
Clean-up drive
It is heart touching to see Japanese students so concerned about our environment. Ten Japanese students with some others organised a clean up in the Lovu area last Saturday. (FT 7/3) See the difference between our students and these Japanese students. In fact, our own people are ignorant in terms of managing their rubbish. It is so easy to throw plastics, bottles, wrappers and food packs anywhere, any time without thinking of the repercussions of such a practice in our lives later on. It is really painful that our own citizens neglect the beautiful environment of Fiji. We are all hearing a lot about climate change and its impact but there is no evidence of mind-set change in Fijians irrespective of age and gender. Something is wrong with our parenting and education system that the very basics of life and living is being neglected. What’s the purpose of learning about planets and chemicals (examples only) and we cannot manage the rubbish we create. What a set of rubbish people we are without any concern for our environment! Thank you, Japan, for shaping the children from your side who care so much for the environment. Dhirendra Prasad Lautoka
Drua game
Will the Fijian Drua v Crusaders game be affected given the terrible weather the Western Division has facing? There is flash flooding and continuous downpour resulting in difficulty in maintaining the perfect pitch conditions at Churchill Park. It is also a risk for fans travelling from overseas and from the Central Division to witness this great game. I request the Drua CEO or the relevant authority to please come forward and inform the public on what steps would be taken if the game does not go ahead and what would be the actions taken for matters such as ticket refund if need be. Raynav Chand Nakasi, Nausori
Start at home
We humans have treated the Earth as a pile of filth by polluting her in many ways. Even though in Fiji our leaders have been saying that we are one of the least carbon emissions countries in the world, I believe we are one of the biggest polluters by not caring about keeping our trash properly, especially plastic rubbish There are many deliberations around the area of plastic waste in Fiji, even to the point of banning individual plastic use in super markets, but to no avail. I believe we have legislation to fine on the spot those who litter. There have been many workshops and awareness about the importance of keeping our rubbish properly and recycling, but they don’t seem to work because plastic trash is noticed everywhere in every setting, be it urban or rural. I believe, one of the ways to be able to address the issue of littering is teaching our children about the importance of taking care of mother Earth and taking the lead to make them be responsible citizens to clean their surroundings. On Saturday 04/03/2013, I led my children to pick up trash around Navua Town and I was happy to see their enthusiasm to take care of our common home, mother Earth and they are looking forward to next week. To make real change, I believe we need to start at home. Kositatino Tikomaibolatagane Vuninokonoko Rd, Navua
Digital gender gap
The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is ‘DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality’. The theme highlights how technology is crucial to advancing rights, but a growing digital gender gap is impacting everything from women’s job opportunities to safety online. The UN highlights that 259 million fewer women have access to internet than men, and women are largely underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers. Hence, according to the UN, bringing women into technology results in more creative solutions and has greater potential for innovations that meet women’s needs and promote gender equality. Their lack of inclusion, by contrast, comes with massive costs. While IWD is a chance to raise awareness on rights gaps, we must celebrate progress and the achievements of individual women. Organisations, homes and communities will be celebrating IWD today with speeches, cake cutting and giving respect and honour to women. It is important that we also show them this respect and honour every day. I wish our girls and mothers a happy and blessed IWD! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasniu
Town issue
The Hospital Rd and Nadi Bus Stand were closed to all traffic due to flooding. Nothing unusual though, as we all know that these places get flooded very quickly yet over the years no remedial action seems to be forthcoming and it is so sad. On the other hand, another area that is now constantly getting flooded and blocks people from entering the town is the roundabout at the temple end of Nadi Town. Have other people noticed the frequency with which this area is also flooded as soon the Qeleloa River bursts its banks. It wasn’t the case before, as far as I can recall. Luckily spillage from Nadi River, which causes major flooding across the whole town, has significantly been reduced thanks to all the dredging works done by the Government. At this juncture, one might ask what the Nadi Town Council was doing to address the frequent flooding occurring in and around the market and bus stand areas? Do they have the expertise and resources to have our town’s ongoing problems such as the one mentioned, traffic congestion, shortage of public toilets and parking spaces just to name a few sorted out. Moreover, the ratepayers would also want to see the town boundary equipped with proper footpaths so that they are able to move to places safely and keep themselves fit at the same time. Unless you start somewhere, you are not going to reach where you want to reach. Please know that I support the council fully, but these are few things that I think the council needs to address without delay because they matter in our lives daily. I hope my contribution is not taken otherwise. Suresh Chand Nadi
Eye sore
It is time to admit the fact that it definitely is an eye sore to watch all these worthless piles of car dumps beside the roadside when travelling from Navua to Suva. What are they there for? To bring beauty and attraction or to create stress and embarrassment? This definitely is not tolerated because many years before, nothing was done to ensure the true look of our nation. Whoever is responsible for those rusty vehicles whether the authorities or the actual owners, I suggest it is time to take out the trash. KELEPI DAKUIYACO Waikalou, Serua
Our hospitals
The media didn’t “expose” Fiji’s filthy hospitals, as correspondent Ronnie Chang (FT 7/3) put it. We knew about it years ago: patients, families, doctors, nurses, senior administrators, ministry officials, and Dr James Fong who on his hospital visits must have wondered what his well-paid, flush with money —name yet to be revealed — cleaning company was doing. And all this against a backdrop of delusional talk of “medical tourism” potential. Excuse me for a moment. Christopher Griffin Perth, Australia
China, Australia
Five security experts in the Land Down Under say China will attack Australia within 36 months. War. Guess it’s time to choose sides! MANOJ LAL PATEL Drasa Ave, Lautoka
Storing water
WE’VE been all advised by the Water Authority of Fiji on their FB account to store drinking water for seven days. Fair enough, but how many days shall we also store our cooking, washing, bathing and relieving water for if I may ask. WAF? AREKI DAWAI Suva
Happy Holi
A colourful event, full of wonderful colours. This festival also commemorates the harvest and the fertility of the country. Let us all put aside our old grudges and greet people with great warmth and light. This unfavourable weather may stop our Hindu friends from celebrating, but it can never wash away their spirit. Happy Holi to the people of Fiji and those who are residing outside the country. RODNEY CLARENCE RAJ Naleba, Labasa
Online classes
With this kind of weather affecting a child’s development in literacy and education, I request the ministry that may be it is time to step up a bit by bringing in online classes. KELEPI DAKUIYACO Waikalou, Serua
Did we?
Did we really lose three out of the five games this weekend…uumm? Nigel Fiu Owls Perch
