Bula Sports fans!
The thought occurred to me on Saturday while driving around town listening to the 10am news on LegendFM that Fiji and Suva in particular is still a fantastic place to live isn’t it? As usual, the first three or four stories on the news were negative and I wondered why: Surely there are also good things happening in this country of ours and it isn’t all doom and gloom.
Why don’t all the local media give us a break for the weekend and lead in with good old fashioned positive stories on Saturday? Come on local media moguls; there’s a challenge – “make our day”!
OK, so the citizens of Suva have been known to moan and groan about the potholes and the filthy state of the market on Sunday morning, but that aside, Suva still has its special tropical-paradise charm. Last Saturday was one of those rare days where the capital city regaled supreme in the sun. I did my bit in terms of leaving a “carbon footprint” on planet earth by driving around the Cumming Street block a number of times trying to find a parking space near Wahley’s Butcher.
Not for the fine pork chops, pork loin and pork ribs that Greg Harm Nam sells there, but for the absolutely mouth-watering toasted egg-tomato-onion-cheese and chilli sandwiches sold at the Chinese café next door!
Trust me they are absolutely the best value in town, developed by Gary over the years of ordering his morning tea from them. He must be part-Tongan!
So there I was, doing the rounds, battling the Taxi’s trying to find a parking space on Cumming Street when, through the passing crowd on the footpath and the glass shop front, I happened to catch the eye of the Fijian waitress inside the café and she signalled with hand gestures and a fantastic smile “same order – toasted sandwiches – set”! As only we in Fiji can communicate!
I did another round of the block in air conditioned comfort and returned to be served through my car window right there on Cumming Street! As the saying goes, “Only in Fiji”!
I then proceeded down to the seawall in front of Government House to witness the changing of the guard ceremony which I understand happens at 11am on the last Saturday of each month. Mark down this day citizens of Suva.
What a delightful ceremony it was too, involving troops of soldiers resplendent in their red tunics and white sulus the policemen proud as punch that Commissioner Teleni was also watching. Both squads supported by their respective brass bands, showcased a special part of our proud military history and tradition, which I imagine originated somewhere in our murky Colonial past.
What a gem of an event. As a bystander commented, “It warmed the heart”. We live in hope.
So too does Waisale Serevi - the King of 7s live in hope that he will represent Fiji at his beloved Hong Kong 7s rugby tournament. So here goes, I’m going to have another crack at trying to drum up support for the Maestro, the Magician, the Wizard, the King of 7s.
I’m doing this today because I believe that I have a duty to do so.
It is a privilege that I value dearly to have my views on sports published and I am also in the unique position of having watched and commentated on Fiji rugby and Waisale Serevi in particular, in local and international rugby 7s tournaments over a decade through much of the 1980s. More recently, I have also had the honour of serving on the Board of the Fiji Rugby Union. And as I have stated in an earlier column, I am a big fan of Waisale Serevi and yes there is emotion in all this for me – emotions of pride and hope for Fiji.
We must not forget what this great man has done for our country over so many years of national rugby representation all over the world.
We must not forget the numerous times that Waisale Serevi has single-handedly snatched victory for Fiji from the jaws of death.
No other person in our modern history has evoked such hope for and pride in Fiji like Waisale Serevi.
No other person in our modern history has evoked such unbridled happiness and celebrations across Fiji like Waisale Serevi.
No other person in our modern history has personally and purposely promoted multiracialism through sports in Fiji like Waisale Serevi.
No other person in our modern history has inspired our youth to do well in school, to be committed to their studies, to be disciplined, good law-abiding citizens of Fiji like Waisale Serevi.
No other person in our modern history has promoted Fiji across the rugby-playing world like Waisale Serevi.
No other person in our modern history has symbolised the free-flowing, high speed, magical-handling, exciting brand of “Fiji rugby” around the world like Waisale Serevi.
I personally and publicly appeal through this column to the Board of the Fiji Rugby Union, the Chairman Keni Dakuidreketi, the FRU President Ratu Sakiusa Tusolia and Chief Executive Officer, Ratu Timoci Tavanavanua – all good friends, to please reconsider your stance on Waisale Serevi for the Hong Kong 7s this year as part of the Fiji Team.
I leave it open as to how you accommodate Waisale Serevi as a player or as an official, but Fiji simply cannot leave its greatest sevens player on the sidelines back here in Fiji in this, his already-stated, year of retirement.
As I have stated publicly before, granted Waisale Serevi has not always been the easiest person for the Fiji Rugby Union to deal with at times, but his contribution to rugby and achievements for Fiji through his 7s rugby exploits surely outweigh his off-field indiscretions.
I offer my services to sit down with all stakeholders including the man himself to mediate Fiji out of this sad situation.
Waisale Serevi is a living national treasure of Fiji and we are blessed to have him in our presence. What are we waiting for – his demise, before we say “Isa Serevi”?
I say honour him now while he is still among us and able to be a rare positive force for change for the young people of Fiji; the next generation – remember them?
We, all the people of our beloved Fiji, owe Waisale Serevi big time and right now with the 2008 Hong Kong 7s coming up we have this once in a lifetime opportunity to do the right thing.
Believe me, there will be no other like Serevi.
The thought occurred to me on Saturday while driving around town listening to the 10am news on LegendFM that Fiji and Suva in particular is still a fantastic place to live isn’t it? As usual, the first three or four stories on the news were negative and I wondered why: Surely there are also good things happening in this country of ours and it isn’t all doom and gloom.
Why don’t all the local media give us a break for the weekend and lead in with good old fashioned positive stories on Saturday? Come on local media moguls; there’s a challenge – “make our day”!
OK, so the citizens of Suva have been known to moan and groan about the potholes and the filthy state of the market on Sunday morning, but that aside, Suva still has its special tropical-paradise charm. Last Saturday was one of those rare days where the capital city regaled supreme in the sun. I did my bit in terms of leaving a “carbon footprint” on planet earth by driving around the Cumming Street block a number of times trying to find a parking space near Wahley’s Butcher.
Not for the fine pork chops, pork loin and pork ribs that Greg Harm Nam sells there, but for the absolutely mouth-watering toasted egg-tomato-onion-cheese and chilli sandwiches sold at the Chinese café next door!
Trust me they are absolutely the best value in town, developed by Gary over the years of ordering his morning tea from them. He must be part-Tongan!
So there I was, doing the rounds, battling the Taxi’s trying to find a parking space on Cumming Street when, through the passing crowd on the footpath and the glass shop front, I happened to catch the eye of the Fijian waitress inside the café and she signalled with hand gestures and a fantastic smile “same order – toasted sandwiches – set”! As only we in Fiji can communicate!
I did another round of the block in air conditioned comfort and returned to be served through my car window right there on Cumming Street! As the saying goes, “Only in Fiji”!
I then proceeded down to the seawall in front of Government House to witness the changing of the guard ceremony which I understand happens at 11am on the last Saturday of each month. Mark down this day citizens of Suva.
What a delightful ceremony it was too, involving troops of soldiers resplendent in their red tunics and white sulus the policemen proud as punch that Commissioner Teleni was also watching. Both squads supported by their respective brass bands, showcased a special part of our proud military history and tradition, which I imagine originated somewhere in our murky Colonial past.
What a gem of an event. As a bystander commented, “It warmed the heart”. We live in hope.
So too does Waisale Serevi - the King of 7s live in hope that he will represent Fiji at his beloved Hong Kong 7s rugby tournament. So here goes, I’m going to have another crack at trying to drum up support for the Maestro, the Magician, the Wizard, the King of 7s.
I’m doing this today because I believe that I have a duty to do so.
It is a privilege that I value dearly to have my views on sports published and I am also in the unique position of having watched and commentated on Fiji rugby and Waisale Serevi in particular, in local and international rugby 7s tournaments over a decade through much of the 1980s. More recently, I have also had the honour of serving on the Board of the Fiji Rugby Union. And as I have stated in an earlier column, I am a big fan of Waisale Serevi and yes there is emotion in all this for me – emotions of pride and hope for Fiji.
We must not forget what this great man has done for our country over so many years of national rugby representation all over the world.
We must not forget the numerous times that Waisale Serevi has single-handedly snatched victory for Fiji from the jaws of death.
No other person in our modern history has evoked such hope for and pride in Fiji like Waisale Serevi.
No other person in our modern history has evoked such unbridled happiness and celebrations across Fiji like Waisale Serevi.
No other person in our modern history has personally and purposely promoted multiracialism through sports in Fiji like Waisale Serevi.
No other person in our modern history has inspired our youth to do well in school, to be committed to their studies, to be disciplined, good law-abiding citizens of Fiji like Waisale Serevi.
No other person in our modern history has promoted Fiji across the rugby-playing world like Waisale Serevi.
No other person in our modern history has symbolised the free-flowing, high speed, magical-handling, exciting brand of “Fiji rugby” around the world like Waisale Serevi.
I personally and publicly appeal through this column to the Board of the Fiji Rugby Union, the Chairman Keni Dakuidreketi, the FRU President Ratu Sakiusa Tusolia and Chief Executive Officer, Ratu Timoci Tavanavanua – all good friends, to please reconsider your stance on Waisale Serevi for the Hong Kong 7s this year as part of the Fiji Team.
I leave it open as to how you accommodate Waisale Serevi as a player or as an official, but Fiji simply cannot leave its greatest sevens player on the sidelines back here in Fiji in this, his already-stated, year of retirement.
As I have stated publicly before, granted Waisale Serevi has not always been the easiest person for the Fiji Rugby Union to deal with at times, but his contribution to rugby and achievements for Fiji through his 7s rugby exploits surely outweigh his off-field indiscretions.
I offer my services to sit down with all stakeholders including the man himself to mediate Fiji out of this sad situation.
Waisale Serevi is a living national treasure of Fiji and we are blessed to have him in our presence. What are we waiting for – his demise, before we say “Isa Serevi”?
I say honour him now while he is still among us and able to be a rare positive force for change for the young people of Fiji; the next generation – remember them?
We, all the people of our beloved Fiji, owe Waisale Serevi big time and right now with the 2008 Hong Kong 7s coming up we have this once in a lifetime opportunity to do the right thing.
Believe me, there will be no other like Serevi.
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