7s credit
Timoci Gaunavinaka, Nausori
With our men’s 7s team to Rio announced today an arm chair of critics ponder on Ben Ryan’s choice.
There has never been a time in our 7s rugby history where there has been such a very thin line between those who are chosen and those who did not make the cut. Even Ben Ryan admitted having sleepless nights in trying to make that painful decision.
The boys who failed to make the final cut gave it their all. We all know that they are much better players than many of those going to Rio from other countries and it is just unfortunate that they choose to represent Fiji.
Some sustain injuries and some got admitted to hospital. They put their body on the line in five gruelling weeks to push and bring out the best in those who made it. That is no small task and they must not be forgotten. After all, when the dust settles in Rio on August 13th and our contracted overseas players return to Europe, it is these same players the nation will turn to for the 2016 / 2017 IRB Sevens series.
Like true Fijians they will throw full support behind those chosen as Jarred Hayne has proven and will not make unnecessary controversy for a media hey-day like it happened with the All Blacks 7s team announcement.
My humble suggestion to FRU and to Government, please, if the men’s 7s team to Rio do win a medal and got handsomely compensated for their achievement, set aside a couple of thousands of dollars as a goodwill compensation for the few players who missed Rio from the 24-member training squad for their part behind the scene that makes us all proud.
That will also relay a clear message to our elite sports people that will help sustain a competitive and progressive sporting environment: “You may be left out and did not make the cut, but your contribution is not forgotten and we do care.”
Govt fleet services
Arien Vikash Kumar, Nadi
Questions have been raised to the finance ministry in the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meeting in regards to the service centres where the repair and maintenance of government – owned vehicles can take place.
Instead of having Government Service Centres or accepting Private Companies with the lowest quotation do the repair and maintenance of state-owned vehicles, how about using the “Technical Colleges” as government service centres.
Perhaps all the Technical Colleges in Fiji have Automotive and Engineering Departments and using the services of this Department would have a number of advantages.
Getting more trained and qualified automotive engineers/teachers and equipping the automotive and engineering department with modern tools and machinery will surely lift the standards of the Technical Colleges in Fiji, which can further open doors to the government for repair and maintenance of state – owned vehicles at a very reasonable cost.
It will be a win – win situation for both the Government and the Technical Colleges.
Finance Ministry will save a lot and on the other hand the Technical Colleges would experience sudden rise in the enrolment list as more students will be willing to enrol and learn with modern tools and machinery as well as with qualified engineers and teachers. The Tertiary Education Loan Scheme (TELS) applications will also increase and so forth.
It may take time and money for the Technical Colleges to raise its standards and offer full services for the repair and maintenance of state-owned vehicles but in the meantime they could just start with the normal servicing(oil and filter changing) of the government-owned vehicles.
Just a suggestion though.
New arms
Amenatave Yaconisau, Suva
Your headline titled ‘Russian Arms for Golan peacekeeping’ (FS 14/7) speaks of the need to modernise armoury for our peacekeepers in International peacekeeping.
There is little question that we need to keep our peacekeepers safer and one of the ways is to improve their technology including weapons.
Defence and internal policing should be a priority for our security along with improved working conditions.
Generally we should increase military and police spending with purchase of armoured vehicles, heavy artillery, combat aircraft, helicopters and warships.
I hope our foreign policy makers will respond accordingly and we thank the Russian armoury and technical assistance.
I hope they will provide training too. We should not be afraid to interact with citadels of other ideologies and cross fertilise with them.
Enforcing policies
Sachida Rao, Nausori
Years ago the regulation and policy on jaywalking and recommended attire for public service vehicle (PSV) drivers were implemented and clearly spelled out by the Land Transport Authority (LTA).
That was a fine step towards improving the road manners.
The question is, were the executed policies monitored along? If so, how many bookings were done over a given period of time?
The manner in which the public is jaywalking and the taxi drivers attire themselves simply shows either the policy enforcers are outnumbered or the jaywalkers are fearless. But why?
Feedback: jyotip@fijisun.com.fj