Unfair competition

Nilesh Lal, Suva

Playing on your home ground is seen as a major advantage in football. That is why it is also one of the key reasons the “away goals” rule developed in football and is used extensively in FIFA competitions.

In order to have a credible football tour­nament/competition, the venue always need to be announced beforehand.

This is to ensure that venues are not cho­sen at a later stage to provide undue ad­vantage to a certain team.

Fiji Football Association apparently does not care for credible competitions and is unable to provide a fair competing plat­form for participating districts.

They apparently choose to make profit over credible tournaments.

They select the venue for the finals (which are the most important games) only after the semifinalists are decided.

You will not find such practices any­where in the world where credible football bodies exist.

It is a real wonder why the FIFA brother­hood is not picking this up when this is di­rectly infringing one of their key require­ments for fair competition.

Fiji FA has still not announced the venue of the FACT final. One wonders why? Is it because they need to know which teams would emerge as finalists and then make a decision based on which venue will at­tract a maximum crowd?

Since Ba is now out of the competition, I guess the only remaining consideration in this arbitrary decision would be maximis­ing profits.

It is outrageous that fairness and cred­ibility are the least of the considerations for the FFA, especially since district ad­ministrators invest a lot of personal re­sources in participating in such tourna­ments.

As always, team Labasa would be at a tremendous disadvantage, endure time-consuming and uncomfortable travel, ad­justing to new conditions, etc.

If they manage to win, it would be against the odds and in an extremely lop­sided playing field (pun not intended).

Workforce

A.Shariff Shah, Savusavu

The only difference between our work­force versus foreigners is that we have to tell our men and women to work hard daily.

For foreigners, please don’t work that hard. You are overworking. Take a rest.

Stern measures

Wise Muavono, Balawa, Lautoka

Lately, there have been numerous fatal accidents on our roads resulting in casu­alties.

The main contributing factor proved to be speeding.

These situations don’t augur well for our country’s image.

Stern measures must then be imposed to prevent or, at least, reduce considerably such tragedies.

Enforcement has to be strict and records have to be updated.

The power to suspend these errant driv­ers should be vested in high-ranking Po­lice personnel, not to the courts, because this could be time consuming.

Clear danger

Floyd Robinson, Nasinu

Recent media reports that Fiji has the highest death rates from diabetes. This is alarming! How could such a small island nation in the Pacific have such a high rate?

While some may question the validity of this finding, the trust is that if we don’t manage our lifestyles, diabetes will con­tinue to present a clear and present dan­ger to the country.

Think about the health costs nationally, the effects it has both socially and finan­cially on families as well as communities.

Let’s continue to show love towards those in our community living with diabetes, but continually support efforts to make changes to our dietary habits and exer­cise.

iTaukei vote

Amenatave Yaconisau, Delainavesi, Suva

Your article by Nemani Delaibatiki on the battle of Opposition parties for iTaukei voters (Fiji Sun 29/5) is interest­ing.

But how can NFP compete for iTaukei votes when they don’t want a coalition? Electoral coalition is an indicator that your interest and preferences are priori­tised even if conflicting.

Politics is about action not knowledge, Aristotle once said.

Nevertheless, SODELPA has made coali­tion talks to lure Indo-Fijian voters (Fiji Sun 30/5). Let’s see!

Feedback: jyotip@fijisun.com.fj