Rugby and soccer
Stop cheating
I SEE letters in this column asking for the head coach of the Mickey Mouse game to be axed because they have not won anything in the past two years. The desperation appears to be because the Paris Olympics is fast approaching, and the ‘end of the world’ is nigh if nothing is done!
I do not believe the results in the past two years have anything to do with the performance of the head coach at all. We all know that when things do not go as we expect, it is always someone else’s fault. It is never one’s own fault.
As a start, I believe that players should stop cheating by outwardly and publicly looking up to the sky with outstretched arms asking for divine help from outside the field of play in every game. Not that that has helped. With a 7-minute Mickey Mouse half, the whole thing is a matter of luck most of the time in any case.
More importantly, the players need to improve as they are simply not good enough. I do not believe cheaters and those who seek help from outside the field deserve to win anyway.
Or maybe in the end it is all just the referees’ fault. But it is definitely someone else’s fault, not the players - that is a given for the Mickey Mouse fans, that is.
JAN NISSAR Sydney, NSW, Australia
Fijian soccer
WITH so many players from the Solomons playing in this year’s National League, I wonder how many of Fijian players are playing in the Solomons league this year?
I won’t know the reasons for this. Are we importing Solomon islanders just to score goals and make teams here win at any cost?
Then why are our players, if any, not doing the same in Solomons league?
Are these Solomon islanders eligible to play for our national teams? If not then who will represent our national team if imported players represent our districts and our own players sit in the stands?
Will our league be strong? Here is one suggestion to Fiji FA, please allow a full Solomon Island team, not their national team, but just a club team to participate in our National League in all age and gender groups. It will be interesting to see where our soccer stands and we will get the answer to why our reps can’t play in the Solomons league.
Don’t have to be a genius to figure that out.
Some people just don’t and won’t learn. Rugby is played right beside them but the top brass at that noble Fiji FA house will never ever learn. Instead Fiji rugby should do the same and follow Fiji FA. Import players and make your own players sit in their homes and watch on TV.
Gone are the days when our players and our national teams were the most feared in the region.
Now that’s called development. Our future is very bright. Thanks to that noble house with all genius inside.
A. SHARIFF SHAH Savusavu
Horrors of war
AREKI Dawai is so right in reminding us that “In a war, civilian lives will always be at stake as it is an integral element in the art of war” (FT 3/2).
We are reminded of the civilian slaughter in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, in Dresden and now in Gaza. What does this “art of war” tell us about the human race?
RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, Australia
Nadro boost!
THE Nadroga Rugby Union has a mammoth task, as the 2024 15s season is about to kick off. Last year, the Stallions lost the prestigious Inkk Farebrother Sullivan Trophy to Nadi 22-20 at Lawaqa Park and then lost to Suva 23-15 in a backand-forth battle away from home.
Hence, the empty trophy cabinet hurts passionate and ardent Nadroga fans.
On the other hand, I was delighted with the news that Nadroga Rugby Union is set to receive a substantial boost with the inclusion of 11 players from the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua and four players from the Fiji Airways 7s squad for the upcoming season.
According to NRU president Jiuta Waqavonovono (FT: 01/02), the 11 players from the Drua squad were given the opportunity to choose their provincial team, and they enthusiastically opted to play for Nadroga.
Their presence will significantly enhance and boost the Stallions, as they prepare to regain lost glory. I’m thankful that Nadroga has intensified its pre-season training, gearing up to face Macuata on their home soil.
Winning at Subrail Park will not be easy, as Macuata will come out strong and will want to win the first round at home.
The Stallions need to work hard and bring back lost glory!
RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu