Development, sevens
Tangible benefits of loan
FIJI’S economic development would be on par with Australia, New Zealand or Singapore as asserted by the ruling party during previous election campaigns should they be voted in for another term. With about 10 billion dollars of debt, we can barely see the tangible benefits of it on the quality of our roads, medical and hospital services, water supply especially in the Suva/Nausori corridor and proficiency of electricity supply throughout Viti Levu. Poignantly, penury and squalid living condition in squatter settlements is another excruciating bone of contention. By the way, how much is the current level of national poverty?
Most importantly, how much of employment was created for our school leavers annually for the past four years? Why are Fijians leaving for seasonal employment and migration to overseas countries at the first opportunity presented or available to them? Will Vanua Levu ever have an international airport and a seaport? How about a backroad behind Labasa Town to ease traffic congestion and to allow safer transportation of sugarcane and log laden trucks. These issues were deliberated on numerous occasions but still remain a pipe dream. It all appears to be prevarication and garrulous talk during budgetary consultations convened annually around the nation. It’s simply demagogy at its best.
Definitely, things are not propitious here as bragged by some. Lastly, what’s happening to all the scams? Why they not being investigated? RAVIND CHANDRA NAIDU
Tuatua Branch Rd, Labasa
2022 Dubai 7s set to go
DAYS away from the 2022 Dubai 7s tournament, fans are beaming with excitement. Down memory lane and in 2013, a glorious Fiji 7s team won its first Dubai 7s title. On a thrilling night of rugby 7s Fiji beat first the All Blacks 7s 44-0 and then an injury-hit South African outfit 29-17 in the Cup final. Fuelled by the support of an appreciative Dubai crowd, Osea Kolinisau, Pio Tuwai, Benito Masilevu and player of the tournament Samisoni Viriviri inspired the islanders to victory in round two of the HSBC WRSS. The emphatic victory handed a third Dubai Cup title in four years to new coach, Ben Ryan, and his first piece of silverware for Fiji, who sat four points behind WRSS leaders the All Blacks 7s with South Africa a further point back in third.
In the semi-final, Ryan’s side blew the Gold Coast 7s champions the All Blacks 7s away, inflicting the heaviest defeat on NZ. Two years later, Fiji romped home 28-17 with Cup final triumph over England. Fiji scored all of its points in the first half after falling behind to an early Tom Bowen try. Savenaca Rawaca, Jasa Veremalua, Jerry Tuwai, who had suffered a bout of food poisoning overnight and had been on a drip before the action, and Isake Katonibau grabbed Fiji’s four tries for a 28-7 lead at the break. Since 2015, Fiji has failed to win in Dubai, with South Africa winning most crowns.
As the Dubai 7s kicks off this weekend, my player to watch is Paula Nayacakalou, who made his debut at So Kon Po Stadium. Born to Iona Walisoliso and Ana Vatuvou, Paula, who is from Naqarani, Noco, Rewa, attended Nausori District School, Nausori High School, and Lelean Memorial School. He was part of the Nadi U-20 team in 2016 and Rewa rugby team from 2017 to 2019, after which he departed for Malaysia. He was part of Tailevu Rugby Union from 2020 to 2021, and then joined the Kaiviti Silktails, before getting the call to join Ben Gollings’ training squad. Paula is a star in the making, given more game time. RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu