Rio preparation
Shad Alfaz Ali, Navua
I was sad to learn that Kolinio Sivoki and Sakaraia Naisua have been dropped from the national football squad due to disciplinary reasons.
The duo are alleged to have broken camp and had gone on a drinking spree.
It’s really disturbing to see this happening but this has been the norm for Fiji Soccer for some time – players breaking camp, drinking spree, being dropped, given another chance and the list goes on.
My understanding is the players were attending a workshop in the Capital City but the question is who was in charge of the boys, were they supervised and where were all the officials when these boys supposedly sneaked out of the camp.
These behaviours are happening when the team is getting ready to depart for Rio just goes on to show the amount of rot there is within Fiji Football.
My advice to Fiji FA hierarchy is to take a leaf out of Ben Ryan’s book.
We are already hearing about the poor fitness level of the boys – my question again goes to the Fiji FA officials, what were you doing when Ben Ryan and our 7’s gladiators were training at the Sigatoka sand dunes?
No wonder Fiji is ranked 187th in the world while our Sevens team is favourite for gold.
Rio count down
Timoci Gaunavinaka, Nausori
Since our first participation in the Olympic Games, never have we been graded as number one in any sport until this year. Our back to back victories in the IRB sevens rugby world series has not only put us at the pinnacle of world ranking, but also as the bulls-eye of other teams’ target.
Sir Gordon Tiejen, Neil Powel, Mike Friday, Santiago Gomez Cora and Simon Amor to name a few are now all working and calculating various game plans to counter our boys. But we have our master tactician in Ben Ryan, the lion.
While those teams played in various low ranking tournaments to prepare their players, Ben had the advantage of three equally ranked teams playing against each other as players fought for their seat on the plane to Rio.
While those teams trained in sophisticated gymnasiums with modern technology, our players trained at the Sigatoka sand dunes, a national heritage site that holds remains of settlements built by our early ancestors some three thousand years ago.
While those players represent developed countries from continental Europe, the Americas, Africa, Oceania and Asia with multi-million dollar budgets, our players represent a small developing nation that may appear like a tiny dot in the ocean but whose people are gifted with raw talents and big hearts.
Now when Ben Ryan’s sleepless nights may have come to an end, we the fans have just began ours as we anticipate with enthusiasm, imagining and dreaming of what is about to unfold and explode when the torch is lit in Rio..
7s crusade good to go!
Epeli Rabua, Suva
In the 1100s, a King of England – Richard “the Lionheart”, was about to embark on the third crusade to the Holy Land to redeem Jerusalem from the Saracens.
Fast forward 10 centuries later, Ben ‘the Lion’ Ryan, a kinsman of King Richard, in what is one of Britain’s former colonies – Fiji, is about to begin the final hurdle of his own crusade, which began three years ago.
The Lion has chosen his 13 knights to represent Fiji in this Olympic crusade – Apisai Domolailai, Leone Nakarawa, Josua Tuisova, Jasa Veremalua, Kitione Dawai, Samisoni Nasagavesi, Savenaca Rawaca, Semi Kunatani, Jerry Tuwai, Vatemo Ravouvou, Viliame Mata with Captain courageous, Osea Kolinisau and travelling reserve – Masivesi Dakuwaqa.
In his search for Olympic glory, the Lion has equipped his knights with the tools of their trade for this crusade – being bigger, faster, stronger than they have ever been.
Their armour, honed on the sand dunes in Kulukulu, fortified with their God given natural talents and with the insights of their fellow knights who have passed on valuable lessons in physical, spiritual and especially mental toughness are worn with pride.
And to complete their attire, they have screened themselves with a shield from the Holy Bible – ‘that they can do all things, through Christ who strengthens them’ – from Phillipians 4:13.
The World 7s Series Champions will continue to carry their Christian faith to seek redemption in front of ‘Christ the Redeemer’ in Rio to wrench Gold and victory, not only for Fiji and Ben, but for themselves as well.
Let the Lion, Ben’s crusade move on.
Bring on Rio, bring on the Olympics. We will be ready. Fiji – We Believe We Will Win!!!
Bati Ni Tanoa version
Joji. O Toronibau, Tunuloa
While watching the humorous Bati ni Tanoa show on FBC, I was adamant to also vouch for any three not necessarily be all men but women too from here in Rabi, Kioa, my palagi kaivata’s and or any other entertaining ethnic groups like our Indo Fijian brothers and sisters to also introduce their own version of BNT.
That will be hilarious and a step ahead in amusement. That’s real Fiji in the making and I earnestly request FBC chief executive officer to also consider this solemn wish.
iTaukei inmates
Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa, Delta, BC, Canada
The move by the Fiji Corrections Service (FCS) to adopt a traditional approach to address the growing i-Taukei population in Fiji’s corrections facilities is applauded.
A two-day workshop hosted by the iTaukei Affairs Ministry was held for senior FCS officials to undergo a cultural empowerment training with the ministry, as it was revealed that the iTaukei made up 77 per cent of the Corrections facility population or 1400 of the 1800 inmates around the country.
With all due respect, nearly all iTaukei inmates are Christians and I believe the solution to address the above growing iTaukei numbers in prison is for inmates to study the Bible and have a relationship with Christ as their Lord and Saviour and transformation of character follows.
The transformation into having the mind of Christ gives them a positive mind-set and God will reveal to them His plan for their lives.
Millions have been transformed through the power of the good news, but each individual chose to break the law and are behind bars for their crime.
Each should also individually want to change and open the door of their hearts for the Saviour to come in and change their life through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
I know of former inmates who are now church pastors and Bible workers and I believe beyond reasonable doubt that this method alone can transform the life of a hardened criminal into a kind hearted son of God.
The Church and the iTaukei Affairs Ministry and the FCS should be working together, not only focusing on the 77 per cent iTaukei population already serving as inmates in our Corrections facilities, but also to work on the transformation of iTaukei lives, so that those outside, stay outside.
Unlicensed dogs
Rajesh Lal, Labasa
It has become a hobby for some people to keep unlicensed dogs especially in the housing areas which is creating a nuisance and danger to the public.
Can the concerned authorities look into this matter as some people have more than three unlicensed dogs.
Feedback: jyotip@fijisun.com.fj