Letters

Letters to the Editor, 18th June, 2018

  World Cup in Session Taitusi Sokiveta,    Phoenix, Arizona When I first arrived in Hawaii in April, 1975, I was really excited with the idea of living in a
18 Jun 2018 12:30
Letters to the Editor, 18th June, 2018

 

World Cup in Session

Taitusi Sokiveta,    Phoenix, Arizona

When I first arrived in Hawaii in April, 1975, I was really excited with the idea of living in a new country and experiencing new things.

But slowly it became a shock to my whole system. Firstly, it was the food. No more curry and roti. Then came the culture, then language. They had more slangs in English than actually speaking proper English. Even the Haiwaiians had their own version of English.

Then came the sport. I was excited that at least I get to watch soccer but to my disappointment the TV stations only televised baseball, American Football, basketball, golf, horse racing, car racing, and other sports but no soccer.

In my first few years, the World cup happened in 1978, 1982 but I only read the results in a small column in newspapers.

I also remember between 1975 to 1977 in Hawaii, on many Saturdays, all Fijians from Honolulu and Fijian students from the Hawaii universities, got together and we split ourselves into two teams and played soccer.

Then we would buy chicken and rice or just show up at a Fijian family’s house and that’s how we ate curry and drank kava together.

In 1986, where Argentine Diego Maradona was the star, they finally televised the whole game but I was shocked when the family whom I was watching with switched the game during the finals at half-time. I remember I had to beg them not to change the channel.

Fast-forward to the 2018 World Cup – I have watched the whole opening ceremony, the first game being with Russia and Saudi Arabia, I also watched Portugal and Spain, Iran and Morocco, Uruguay and Egypt, Denmark and Peru and Croatia and Nigeria.

All I can say is what fantastic games they have been. I am able to watch these games on my phone, on the computer and on television. I had been glued to my television since late in the afternoon the second day in a row that by this time my American neighbours came knocking on my door.

When I opened to check they asked what might have happened and I told them that it’s the World Cup season.

Now I have put a sign on my door which says: World Cup in session, so that my neighbours are aware and would know not to disturb just in case I miss a goal.

Captain Courageous

Shariff Shah,    Savusavu

Both hands salute to our 7s captain.

I admire your leadership qualities, but you had my utmost respect when you openly admitted your mistake against England.

Mate, why are you so different from others?

I haven’t seen your wife and your children in every stadium you play.

I haven’t seen you carrying your son on your shoulders to lift the trophy.

I haven’t seen you running around the pitch showing off with the trophy as if you won it alone, while the other players silently run around empty handed.

I haven’t seen you snatching and taking the match ball away as if you owned it after winning the final.

I haven’t seen you overruling your coach or your superiors.

I haven’t seen you overruling your employer FRU and making demands.

I haven’t seen you dragging small little issues to the public for support.

What I have seen in you is no one is bigger than the game itself.

I place you above all maestro or genius because you haven’t forgotten your roots.

Respect is earned and not demanded.

You have my total respect.

And in future if you need my help either in cash or kind please call me on 9955178.

Fated to lose

Norman Yee,    Nadi

Some points that no doubt Mr. Baber may already have in mind.

Seems no one has commented on the one reason why we lost in Paris was the lack of a good kicker.

Had we converted the two tries at the beginning we would have been ahead of England by the final whistle.

With the score of 17-19 we definitely needed the four points from the missed conversions.

Why don’t we change the kicker or have more practice since he’s already good in other areas?

Secondly, from the first two pool games it was obvious we weren’t playing with our usual flair.

The support for the man with the ball seemed either slow or lacking.

Our coach has already noted we don’t seem to do well during the second week.

Thirdly, why kick ahead? How often have we succeeded when doing this?

Finally we were fated to lose.

Bad refereeing or not, one can see that from the bounce of the ball!

Hopefully our chances would be better at the Melrose Cup next month.

Go Fiji Go!

Vatukoula issue

Narayan Reddy, Lautoka

In the early 1990s workers at the Vatukoula gold mine had a strike and I am sure that strike has not ended until today. Many governments came and many changed, but nobody seemed to understand the striking miners’ situation.

Felix Anthony is concerned about the mine workers and the deaths that occurred at the goldmine.

I am of the view that the Government, union and the mine workers can sit down and solve all the problems and maybe, just maybe, end the never-ending strike at the same time.

Legal obligation

Amenatave Yaconisau,    Delainavesi

Members of the clergy and parents will now be obligated under law to report sexual and violent crimes against women and children.

Clergies and parents who do this can’t hide anymore.

We don’t need God to tell us that it’s wrong. 

It makes the Police and DPP’s work easier.

Nemani Delaibatiki’s analysis on clergies (FS 16/6) is relevant.

Kenya burial

Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa,    Suva

The Fijian Government should be thanked for purchasing a plot in Kitale, Kenya, where the late Pastor Sakaraia Mataka and his late son Paula will be laid to rest.

Someone made a friend request to me on social media just to send me a video clip about the work done by Pastor Sakaraia Mataka in the remote area where he ministered as a missionary.

The clip shows Pastor Mataka reporting to the Christian Mission Fellowship International brethren in Fiji on the work God is doing through his ministry and that even though the Kenyan Government has forgotten their own people, God can use His people from the tiny island of Fiji to be a blessing to them.

Lives were changed by the power of the Gospel and Pastor Mataka used his church connections to get clean drinking water out to the people.

The highlight of the clip was the story of an old lean lady who was also a cripple.

When she drank clean water for the first time in her life, she tried standing up, just to tell Pastor Mataka that this was the first clean water she drank for a very long time and she thanked him also for bringing her Jesus Christ, the living water!

This old lady died not long after that and no one planned for Pastor Mataka and his son to be called so early in life.

I believe that our Heavenly Father is calling us Christian pastors and lay people; if you have the opportunity, go out into the world with the Gospel of Christ and be a blessing to others.

The first Bible verse that came to mind after watching Pastor Mataka’s clip was; “Well done, good and faithful servant: enter into the joy of your Lord.”(Matt 25:23).

Feedback:  jyotip@fijisun.com.fj



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