Rugby dream

Tomasi Boginiso,

Nasinu

Following our victory in the Sevens World Series it has inspired the boys from Naimalavau Village in the Tebara delta.

They only fish, farm and sell their produce to feed their families, and for the trips they make for their Saturday games.

For rugby boots it’s the old Fijian way of “kerekere”, and those with hardly any boots it’s a waiting game at the bench until someone comes off the field when the boots also change hands.

The shorts and socks are almost similar to the Barbarian tradition of bringing your own.

For a playing field there is hardly any and they walk for about two kilometers to train and would share with another two teams, which is on first come first serve basis.

As for their games on Saturdays it’s find your own way – to and fro. Those who could not afford await their colleagues return for updates.

As the village elders try their outmost power to fulfill the boys’ needs it is to no avail and has not been successful.

The World Series Champions have inspired, motivated and encouraged the boys to push on hoping someone will hear their prayers and only God knows if a Naikelimusu boy will be heading for Rio.

The Ministry of Youth, Fiji Rugby Union or anyone who is willing to look into these boys’ need it would be more than a Series victory for them.

Early Arrival

Floyd Robinson, Nasinu

The cold, rainy and windy weather has certainly arrived much earlier than anticipated.

For example, the last weekend was the perfect weather for lazing and catching up on sleep.

In the cold, loneliness could get even lonelier. In the cold, companionship could get even more comfortable and sweeter.

In only a few months, national statistics will observe an increase in population.

The laws of nature prevail in the cold. Whatever one views, do not forget to regularly have hot soup and vitamins as the flu becomes common.

Enjoy the cool weather while it’s still around as in only a few months the hot and humid weather will be around.

iTaukei success

Timoci Gaunavinaka

Nausori

There is no barrier in the 2013 Constitution that disallows a chief from being Prime Minister or leader of the nation.

Many still have their traditional support from the vanua and three paramount chiefs are sitting in Parliament today as a testimony to that.

But if all iTaukei believed that chiefs are the best people to lead Government, we may easily have 14 of them sitting in Parliament today instead of three.

This seems to suggest that many of us iTaukei think otherwise.

For a nation to progress and flourish, it must first be united.

Africa and the Middle East have countries that are remnants of war today because they allow their ethnic and religious agendas overshadow national interest and cannot unite.

The former Great Council of Chiefs (GCC), with all its resources and influence and once seen as the apex of iTaukei society failed to bring unity to our nation.

What were they thinking?

Some are saying that we should let the iTaukei people decide the fate of the GCC.

That would be perfect if we also allow the iTaukei people only to fund it.

There is nothing stopping landowners from deducting their lease money and re-directing it to fund such a body.

The Prime Minister gave that challenge in his election campaign but no one took it. We should put our money where our mouth is.

Government is today giving $10 million to iTaukei landowners to develop their own land.

I advise and encourage those who will benefit from this funding to take this opportunity seriously, work hard and do not be afraid to get advises from people of other races.

Many of us iTaukei running businesses today started from scratch without a single dollar from Government.

If we can do it, so can you.