I fully endorse the comments of the Fiji Sun’s Editorial on March 9, that the timing on Ben Gollings dismissal was indeed suspicious.
I had previously stated that Government’s call for FRU to call a meeting was encouraging at least.
However, the timing of Attorney General Siromi Turaga’s postings on his official Facebook page where former national sevens rugby reps were calling for the appointment of Osea Kolinisau as the national rugby sevens head coach is deemed to be political interference.
FRU interim Trustees chairman Peter Mazey said that Gollings dismissal was his inability to meet the desired standards and expectations set by the organisation.
After 15 years, Gollings won us the Rugby World Cup Sevens title in 2022.
However, most critics were crying of the fact that we’ve not won the past 19 tournaments in HSBC SVNS Series.
Look at France, after 19 years they managed to win the Los Angeles tournament.
Fiji has always been in the top four ever since the inception of the HSBS SVNS Series.
Gollings mission was to defend the Olympic title. Teams like France, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, USA, Great Britain and Samoa are all below Fiji in the current SVNS Series standings.
Argentina will surely win the series title but there is no guarantee that they’ll win the Olympic gold medal, as well.
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Let’s see if Osea can defend the Olympic title with this set of players and also record a World Cup Sevens win, which has been achieved.
I met Gollings and Vili Satala in my electrical shop years ago. I respect Gollings as a person, a great former sevens player and coach.
No Fiji 7s player will ever come close to Gollings record of 2652 points in the series.
To Mr Mazey, why was Fijiana 7s coach Saiasi Fuli not sacked for not winning any tournament in the HSBC SVNS Series and the Women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens.
To the interim Trustees and chairman, you must not adhere to any sort of political interference.
The bottom line is that politics and sports don’t mix.
My sweet Waidina Banana take is for the Flying Fijians 7s players to focus on their defence and discipline.
Finally, to our Sports Minister, Jese Saukuru, the Fiji Football Association expatriate coaches are also paid by the Fiji National Sports Commission through Government but don’t they need to be scrutinsed?
You will definitely hit a brick wall since no sort of political interference will be tolerated by FIFA.
No wonder the top brass at Fiji FA, will never resign despite the pathetic results of the national football teams for donkey’s years. As always, I will always be for Fiji.
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