January 2016 Llow Res

McDonalds now in
Lautoka.
Special Coverage on
Pages 10-11
VOLUME 6 NO: 9 SERVING THE COMMUNITY OF FIJI WITH PASSION
DJ MASTERS
JANUARY 20, 2016 - FEBRUARY 20, 2016
PRICE: 50 CENTS
Wedding & Party Equipment Hire / Wedding & Party Decorations

Mob: 8422 177 / 8456 743
Our equipment hire include: Marquees (Tents), Tables, Chairs, Cooking Pots, Chaffing Dish, Juice Dispenser, Beer & Juice Jugs, Deep Freezer, Sound Systems, B.B.Q Grill Machines, Bridal Sofa,
Shahee Chairs, Mandap Chairs,Royal Chairs, Chair Covers, Servers, Portable Bar with Nip Holders, Bar Tenders, Security Guards, Mobile DJs, Islanders Entertainment Group Showcasing Live Fire Show.
School age Reduction
Soroptimist International Lautoka Club members assisting underprivileged students from around Lautoka with necessary school items.
Photo: Sanjay Goundar
Story: Page 6
Sanjay Goundar
GOVERNMENT is contemplating on reducing the age criteria for
enrollment of students into pre-schools and Year One.
Speaking at the recent Ministry of Education organized public forum
in Lautoka, Minister for Education Dr Mahendra Reddy informed that
government plans to reduce the current enrollment age from five years to
four years for all kindergarten students.
While the enrollment age for Year 1 (Class 1) will be reduced from
current six years to five years old.
Dr Reddy stressed that children of this technological era are developing
at a very fast pace and are well versed with todays high tech environment.
Our children from a very young age before entering the school system
are getting well versed with latest phone and computer gadgets.
With all this advancements the learning capacity of children is also

getting enhanced at a much younger age.
Therefore, we are now seriously planning to reduce the enrollment
age at both preschool and Year 1 level, he informed.
Minister Reddy added that despite criticisms government did not
hesitate to bring back external examinations with standardized exam papers
all prepared by the Ministry of Education officials.
With none of the teachers involved in preparation of the external exam
papers we have also significantly reduced possibilities of paper leakage.
Also we will discontinue scaling of marks because we do not want to
camouflage students and send them into the market.
By removing scaling students have actually excelled and the raw
marks clearly demonstrates the amount of work they have put into their
studies, he stressed.
CITY STAR - THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FROM LAUTOKA
02
citystarnews@kaiviti.com
JANUARY
20, 2016
NEWS
www.epapergallery.com
Rheumatic heart mobile clinic launched
Minister for Health and Medical Service Jone Usamate at the launch of the Rheumatic Heart Disease mobile clinic in Nadi recently. Photo: Supplied
Source: DINFO
THE Ministry for Health earlier this month
has launched its Rheumatic Heart Diseases
mobile clinic in efforts to improve diagnosis of
RHD.
Minister for Health & Medical Services,
Jone Usamate while launching the mobile
clinic at the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa said that
it would assist in the next phase of the RHD
Control and Prevention Program for Fiji.
This project provides 4 years of funding
to strengthen Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD)

initiatives with the aim of reducing the impact
of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease
in Fiji and builds on the initial work of the Fiji
RHD control programme, established in 2005,
providing a unique and new opportunity to
fully integrate and establish RHD prevention
and control activities at the highest level
nationally, Minister Usamate said.
Rheumatic Heart Disease is a common
heart condition in Fiji. It follows streptococcal
throat infections and rheumatic fever.
Velovelo Mandali helps Tanisha
Rheumatic fever is an illness commonly seen

in children and young adults in Fiji that can
lead to heart valve damage. RHD causes
significant morbidity, disability and mortality
through childhood and into early adulthood.
The RHD Mobile Clinic has been custom
built for undertaking echo-cardiograms of
the heart. It contains a simple procedure that
provides images of the heart and enables a
specialist medical officer to detect cases of
RHD, in some cases before there are symptoms.
Minister Usamate added that the Mobile Clinic
will also be used to raise awareness on RHD.

Funding for this Mobile Clinic was the
direct result of a fundraising partnership
between Cure Kids and Accor Hotels.
Over the next four days, close to 400
children from local communities will be
screened for RHD as part of an ongoing
program of work assessing the feasibility of a
RHD screening program.
WESTERN ALUMINIUM JOINERY LIMITED

Repair & Maintenance Aluminium Works
Commercial Shopfront Sliding Doors, Flyscreen Sliding Windows,
Security Grills, Automative Gates, Commercial Doors, Flyscreen Shower
Doors, Aluminium Windows, Cladding. Also Stainless Steel Works
Members of Velovelo Satsang Kirtan Ramayan Mandali assisting Lomolomo Public school
class six student Tanisha Raj with her school needs. Photo: Zareena Bi
Zareena Bi
IT is very heartening to know that the
assistance being provided actually ends up in
the right place and this is the case for Veleovelo
Satsang Kirtan Ramayan Mandali members
who helped Tanisha Raj, a year six student of
Lomolomo Primary with her school essentials.
The Mandali members visited the family
in Lomolomo on January 16 and presented
Tanisha with her school bag, stationeries and
uniforms to start the new school year in high
spirits.
Tanishas father, Uday Raj is a diabetic
patient and has lost both his feet due to
amputation which has resulted in his family
facing difficulties for the last three years .
According to Tanishas very emotional
mother Sarita Raj, she is overwhelmed with the
assistance provided for her daughter as this is
the first group to ever come forward to assist
her daughter with her education needs.

My daughter is a very bright student
and I will always remember this day as this
assistance is so unexpected.
I have been very worried about how I will
send Tanisha back to school as my job is not
sufficient to sustain our familyso this assistance
is indeed God sent.
When our social situation was better we
used to assist a lot of children in our family
and maybe this is why our prayers have been
answered.
Meanwhile, the Velovelo Manadli has
also assisted students in the previous years
with their school essentials and they pledge to
continue with this assistance.
Mandali President, Sanjay Goundar
informed that their members are passionate
about helping needy students and apart from
Tanisha they will assist other students this year.
25 Balawa Street,
P.O Box 1519, Lautoka
Mobile: 9246938 / 9995688
Director: Alex Fong
Email: alex_fong6988@yahoo.com
JANUARY
NEWS
20, 2016
03
Fiji students invited to study at Indias Islamic Institute
National Speaker of Maunatul Islam Association of Fiji Faizal Koya (left) with the visiting delegation from the Jamia Markaz of Kerala, India. Photos: Maika Kasami.
Female Muslim devotees during the Prophet Mohammeds birthday celebration at the
Drasa Vitogo Mosque
Zareena Bi
Maunatul Islam Association of Fijis National President Yusuf Manu with founder of
Jamia Markaz Sheikh Aboobacker Ahmed of Kerala during the Prophet Mohammed
birthday celebration in Lautoka
AN invitation has been extended for

students to attain their tertiary education at the
Jamia Markaz Institute in Kerela, India.
During Prophet Muhammeds (SAW)
Birthday celebrations at the Maunatul Islam
Associations Drasa Vitogo Mosque in Lautoka
late last month, chief guest and the founder
of Jamia Markaz Sheikh Aboobacker Ahmed
informed that places will be reserved for
selected Fiji students and assistance will be
provided for their education.
More than 75,000 students have gone
through our institute successfully attaining
their qualifications in religious teaching as well
as in the fields of communications technology,
management, engineering and womens
empowerment.
Currently 25,000 students are studying at
the Institute which is a safe haven for the poor
and downtrodden and for orphans, as well as a
centre for scholars.
The Sheikh is a great visionary, scholar,
educational reformer, social engineer and
charismatic leader of Indian Muslims and he
believes that value-based education, combining
modern and religious aspects, is the present
need of the Indian Muslims as crime daily
increases.
He follows in the path of the Prophet

Muhammad (SAW) and his companions, by
strict denunciation of Islamic radicals and
his visit to Fiji during the Prophets birthday
celebrations has been hailed as a spiritual
blessing for the followers of Islam in the
country.
During the function he advocated the
teachings of Prophet Muhammed (SAW) to the
large crowd that gathered to listen and catch a
glimpse of him.
The Sheikh stressed that the followers of
Islam should all have the love of the Prophet in
their hearts and continue to recite his deeds and
teachings so their daily lives are fulfilling and
more enriched.
Meanwhile, Jamia Markaz is the sole
Islamic university in India enjoying equal status
with Al-Azhar in Egypt, which has a legacy of
1,000 years of educational development in the
Islamic world.
Jamia Markaz is a vivid example of an
effective implementation of a dream about the
future and the Sheikhs leadership reflects the
courage to dream big and create a grand vision,
building trust in people by his initiatives.
In essence, any history of the educational
and social advancement of Kerala Muslims
would be incomplete without mention of
Sheikh Aboobacker Ahmed.
04
JANUARY
LAUTOKA CITY COUNCIL NEWS
20, 2016
Maika Kasami
ATTORNEY General and Minster for
Finance Aiyaz Sayed-Kaiyum says the
$23million investment made by the P. Meghji
Group of Companies to build a luxurious hotel
at Shirley Park is very timely and historic for
Lautoka City.
The ground breaking ceremony for the
state of the art seven storey hotel was recently
done in the presence of the P.Meghji family,
invited guests, dignitaries and the chief guest,
Mr. Kaiyum.
Mr Kaiyum said with the hotel built plus
other major developments taking place in
Lautoka, it will certainly change the image of
the Sugar City.
This is of-course a very historic occasion.
Lautoka as you know for a number of years if I
am to be corrected may be a couple of decades
have not seen a new hotel. The room inventory
in this city has been very low. The ability of
this city to host international events, to host
even national events is also very limited.
And as it has been highlighted by the
special administrator of Lautoka that a number
of projects are on foot at the moment that will
actually culminate in positioning Lautoka in a
much better place to be able to say to the rest
of Fiji and of-course to the outside world that it
has the capacity to hold a number of events.
Mr. Kaiyum believes the building of the new
hotel will generate and create competition
within the market.
Obviously, competition will be created
and generated because of this new hotel, so
people themselves are going to compete to
try and maintain a position within the market.
And this is what we are here to do to provide
that level playing field and to have that level
of competition in the market that ultimately
benefits businesses and also benefits the
consumers. It benefits ordinary Fijians, it
benefits people who want to come to Fiji and
have a range of choices.
P.Meghji director Mr. Romit Meghji said
Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum (middle), Minister for Local Government Praveen Bala (left), LCC CEO Jone Nakauvadra (2nd
from right) with P Meghji Group directors during the ground breaking ceremony of the new multi-million dollar resort in Lautoka.
P. Meghji Hotel timely for Lautoka
the Shelly Park Hotel project will add a new and

colorful dimension to the changing shoreline in
the Sugar City.
He said despite the hurdles of oppositions
and the deliberate go slow tactics, they were
glad that things have fallen into place for the
project to actually get off the ground.
Lautoka City Special Administrator Mr. Jone
Nakauvadra thanked the directors of P.Meghji

for this milestone achievement as it will no
doubt change the economic and physical
landscape of Lautoka.
The project will be a hallmark in Lautoka
and is an indication of the confidence of the
company for both local government and central
government.
We are confident that this project will

encourage other hoteliers and businesses to
come on board and work with the council
for the betterment of our city particularly in
the promotion of Lautoka as an ideal tourist
destination, Mr. Nakauvadra said.
2016 RATE LEVY

In compliance with section 72 of the Local Government ACT, Cap. 125 notice is hereby given that the council in pursuance to Part IX of the said
Act has struck the following rates (V.A.T exclusive) for the year 2016 and will be levied on the unimproved capital value (UCV) of all rateable land
within the Lautoka City Council Municipal boundary:
General Rates
0.8592 cents in the dollar
Special Rates
0.6669 cents in the dollar
Agricultural Rates 0.185 cents in the dollar
Please note that the above rate levies are subject to 9% Value Added Tax (V.A.T)
DISCOUNT RATE
A 5% discount is offered only for full payment of 2016 rates from 1st January 2016 to 31st January 2016.
CASHIERS OPENING HOURS (Jan 1st Jan 31st 2016

Monday to Friday 8.00am to 5.00pm
Saturdays 8.00am to 1.00pm
Dated at Lautoka this 29th Day of December, 2015
JONE NAKAUVADRA
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
JANUARY
20, 2016
LAUTOKA CITY COUNCIL NEWS
05
Four Year in a Row
Sanjay Goundar
LCC CEO Jone Nakauvadra with council employees responsible for keeping the streets of Lautoka clean after winning
the Best Municipality award in the Clean & Green Towns Competition. Photo: Sanjay Goundar
DENGUE FEVER- BE WISE ACT NOW !!
THE Lautoka City Council has achieved a major milestone after

being rewarded the best municipality in the Clean and Green Towns
Competition for the fourth consecutive year.
This annual event organized by the Ministry of Local Government
was held at Suvas Civic Centre on December 22 last year.
LCC won in the large municipalities category competing against
eastern municipal giants Suva City Council, Nausori Town Council and
Nasinu Town Council.
Council chief executive officer Jone Nakauvadra informed that to
win four years in a row is not easy as competition is getting tougher.
He revealed that the whole idea of the competition is for councils to
improve the general hygiene of towns and cities.
Mr Nakauvadra pointing out that winning four years in a row is
a testimony of the collective effort of all Lautoka people including
ratepayers, business owners, citizens and the council employees.
This winning trophy is for the people of Lautoka and the council
remains indebted for this collective support.
The council also won the 3R Composting competition organized by
JICA few weeks before this competition.
These awards really consolidates that Lautoka is truly a city of
champions and 2015 overall was a marvelous year for our city in various
ways.
I would like to thank the citizens of Lautoka for keeping Lautoka
clean and green and look forward to their continuous support in 2016,
Nakauvadra emphasized.
Please take preventative measures to prevent any outbreak of Dengue fever:

Clean environment by destroying any articles or containers likely to retain water and
breed mosquitoes such as tyres, drums, tins etc.
Change water in flower vases and pot plants on regular basis.
Cover all water storage containers.
Citizens are encouraged to take advantage of councils user pay service of refuse
collection by paying nominal fees.
Keep compounds free from overgrowth of grass and bush weeds that is likely to harbor
mosquitoes.
Guard against mosquito bites. Sleep under mosquito net, apply insect repellants and use
anti mosquito coils.
Lautoka farewell
2015 in style
Remember that the last dengue outbreak early this year resulted in more than 20,000
dengue fever cases and claimed 13 lives in Fiji.
Residents are advised that breeding mosquitoes is an offence and in contravention of
Section 109 of the Public Health Act Cap 111. Offenders will be liable for legal proceedings
without any further warning.
NOTE: Anti-mosquito spraying is only one of the preventative measures to kill adult
mosquitoes but to eradicate the spread of Dengue Fever- REDUCTION AT SOURCE by
destroying breeding grounds is the best solution.
ITS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO KILL MOSQUITOES BEFORE THEY KILL YOU !!!
LETS JOIN HANDS IN KEEPING OUR ENVIRONMENT AND LAUTOKA CITY
CLEAN, HEALTHY AND DENGUE FREE !!!
People of Lautoka enjoying themselves during the New Years street

party organized by Lautoka City Council on December 31, 2015.
Sanjay Goundar
THE City of Lautoka bid farewell to 2015 in a very spectacular
fashion.
Hundreds of citizens gathered at Narara Parade to be part of the
street party organized by the Lautoka City Council on December 31
last year.
A range of musical and dancing performances kept people on their
toes as they danced in jubilation to welcome 2016.
According to Lautoka City Council chief executive officer Jone
Nakauvadra lots of preparation was done for this street party which
turned out to be one of the best since the inception of the street jam in
Lautoka.
Mr Nakauvadra revealed that apart from the top Bollywood and
Hollywood music, live performances by the Via ni Tebara band, DJ
Pranil and the Wow Dance group were the main highlight of the night.
Actually we provided a very balanced entertainment for all the
music lovers of Lautoka who turned up for the street party.
Not at a single point was our program boring and the presence
of people in large numbers beyond midnight was a testimony of the
success of this street party.
The council is very thankful to all our live performers for putting
up a brilliant show for our citizens.
We also assure our citizens that come December 31, 2016 the city
of Lautoka will be enthralled with another magnificent street jam, he
informed.
06
JANUARY
20, 2016
EDITORIAL - January tough for parents
IF parents had not been saving up for the

start of the new school year then they would
certainly feel the pinch whilst doing their Back
to School shopping.
Reports have revealed that the month of
January is usually very challenging for parents
or for any parent or guardian for that matter as
they have to dig deep into their pockets to cater
for the school needs of their children.
This is due to the fact that weve have just
turned our backs on the festive period namely
Diwali, Christmas and New Year where as a
norm the expenditure level is very high living
NEWS
us with very limited or sometimes no cash in

hand at all.
Those that may have one child attending
school will be somewhat lucky provided the
parents are earning enough. However, those
having more than one child in a household will
certainly suffer if their parents are not earning
reasonably to be able to cater for their children.
Consumer Council of Fijis Premila Devi
whilst praising the government of the days
move to reduce the Value Added Tax (VAT) on
certain items from 15percent to 9percent said
in a television interview that the onus was on
PUBLISHER : SANJAY GOUNDAR : PH: 9960 129/ 8493 057

EDITOR : MAIKA KASAMI
: PH: 9189 779
MARKETING MANAGER: ZAREENA Bi : PH: 9322 621
OFFICE : 15 TUKANI STREET, LAUTOKA
POSTAL ADDRESS : PO Box 4230, Lautoka
the parents to battle all odds and deliver for the

sake of their childrens future.
With January being the toughest month,
she said parents will need to spend wisely on
their childrens need as notably there are fixed
commitments for any household to pay for
other expenses such as water bill, electricity
bill etc.
On the other hand the current government
should be applauded for their foresight in
introducing the free bus fares and free school
fees initiative as from 2015 after winning the
general election in 2014.
This has greatly reduced the burden on
parents and they now dont have to worry about
sending their children to school for education.

Minister for Education Mahendra Reddy
during the recent consultations around the
country revealed that toddlers as young as
4-years old will be granted permission to attend
kindergarten.
Reddy and his ministry have also urged
parents to refrain from holding their children
back at home but to urge them to attend school
in an effort to build a knowledgeable society.
We wish all the children Happy Schooling.
Maika Kasami
Editorial.
T/A : WESTERN MEDIA ENTERPRISES

EMAILS: citystarnews@kaiviti.com / sanjayg@connect.com.fj
WEB : www.epapergallery.com/citystar
Follow us on facebook with daily updates : CitySTAR-Newspaper
Printed by: Universal Print
Avenues for education for the needy
Zareena Bi
IT is time once again for thousands of
students in the country to either start fresh at
their schools or to resume their studies after the
holidays and parents have the mammoth task of
fulfilling the requirements of school essentials
for their children.
This is also the point in time when various
non-governmental organizations swing into
action to try and assist the needy children in
their school needs bringing a sense of relief for
parents.
Soroptimist International Lautoka Club
organized their largest assistance to students
this year as compared to other years by
assisting fifteen students from various schools
around Lautoka. Students were assisted with
books, stationeries and uniforms.
During the presentation to the students on
January 16 at Marine Drive in the presence
of SI members, parents and well wishers, the
reigning Miss Sugar Queen, Neha Narayan
encouraged the students to study hard at school.
Ms Narayan who has joined SI Lautoka club
as a member this year reminded the students to
always remember the assistance that they have
received through the club.
Always remember this day as today you
have received a very important aid and also
make a pledge to yourselves today that you will
return this favor to someone else later in your
lives.
I also wish to remind parents to provide
the necessary support and guidance to your
children so they can achieve their goals.
Meanwhile, for SI out of the seven program
areas, education is the area which is given a
lot of prominence and Lautoka Club conducts
projects and programs throughout the year to
advocate the importance of education.
Also, the club works closely with the
Ministry of Education to align their projects
and programs to be effective and beneficial for
the students.
HARI LAL INVESTMENTS

SI Lautoka members presenting school
essentials to one of the 15 recipients
SheenalSwasti, year five student of Gurukul
Primary.
Photo; Sanjay Goundar
SI Lautoka Treasurer Ranjini Sanjay

presenting school stationary items to
MaciuNacama, year 11 student of Lautoka
Muslim College.
Specialised in: general groceries, frozen goods,

fancy goods, wholesalers of quality root
& pounded grog.
Agents for: Fiji Gas and Blue Gas.
Liquor Licence Holder
2 Ram Sami Reddy Rd, Junction of S.M. Koya Rd.,

Kashmir, Lautoka.
Phone: 6645 826 Fax: 6645 826
Mobile: 9975 369/ 9926 369/ 8322 211/ 7772 826
P.O. Box 7350, Lautoka.
NEWS
Mandali rewards members
JANUARY
20, 2016
Most outstanding young talent of the Bhakti

Marag Ramayan Mandali, Kartik Pillay
receiving his awards from Chief Guest Pundit
Davendra Naidu.
Photos: Sanjay Goundar
Bhakti Marag Ramayan Kirtan Mandali members with their spoils after their inaugural awards night.
Sanjay Goundar
A Lautoka based religious organization
has adopted a unique concept of rewarding
its members for enhancing their knowledge
towards religion.
For the first time ever the Bhakti Marag
Ramayan Kirtan Sanatan Mandali organized
an annual awards night where members were
rewarded in different categories on January 10.
According to Mandali Secretary Kailash
Pillay in the past 12 years of the organisations
existence numerous members have contributed
immensely towards its growth.
Mr Pillay informed that the Mandali
therefore decided that it is now appropriate to

initiate an annual awards program to recognize
members for their tireless efforts.
This awards night is also to encourage
fellow members to improve their singing,
discipline, attendance, leadership qualities,
playing musical instruments and overall
promoting unity and togetherness in them.
It is also to encourage the young children
to take keen interest in religious activities and
help improve their human values with pride
and dignity, he informed.
Master Pillay revealed that out of the 20
members a number of them were rewarded
with certificates, gold medals, religious books
07
and trophies.
He added that the inaugural awards
night was very successful with 100 percent
attendance from the members.
We are planning to organize a much better
and bigger awards ceremony with more variety
of awards next year.
Apart from this our Mandali is also
involved in sponsoring needy students, helping
medical patients, providing meals at the Golden
Age Home annually along with spreading the
gospel of Ramayana and Shri Bhagwatam.
One of the best qualities of our group is
that our Mandali is the only one in the west
which has no association to kava drinking
during any of our sittings or functions and we

encourage other Mandalis to do the same, he
stressed.
Meanwhile, all awards were sponsored by
the following people:
Certificates - LICI Agent Mr. Rajesh Kumar
Medals - Master Kailashs Kirtan Group
Books - Yaadein Vision Group
Refreshments & Dinner was sponsored by Mr.
Arvind Kumar of Lautoka Auto Mechanical
Services
THIS PAGE IS SPONSORED BY SIVAM &
COMPANY LIMITED
SIVAM & COMPANY

LIMITED
ethin
Always Som
g New
Latest Arrivals
Wide range of Flower Hanging Decorations from 48 Inches 60 inches.
Wide range of Beaded Torangs for Wedding Planners,
Households, Birthday Parties, Engagements.
Brass Peacock Diya with ring (Available in assorted sizes)
Location: Nadi Town Council Complex

Phone: 670 0951 Fax: 670 7519 A/h: 672 2069
Mobile: 924 4868 / 995 0069
P.O Box 107, Nadi, Fiji Islands

Email: sivamco@connect.com.fj
08
NEWS
Universal assists disabled

JANUARY
20, 2016
Sanjay Goundar
Minister for Education Dr Mahendra Reddy (left) officiates

at the BhajanNite with Mr Ronald Ritesh and Ajesh Chand
Koroipita resident Satish Chand who has been assisted

from the funds raised from the BhajannNite.
THE owners of Lautoka based renowned bookshop,

Universal Office Supplies have embarked on a humanitarian
venture of assisting the less fortunate members of our society.
In the past the company has assisted a number of school
students with their educational needs plus has provided timely
donations to Christian and Hindu religious bodies.
However, recently the company organized one of their
biggest fundraising events to assist a disabled resident of the
Koroipita Model Home in Lautoka.
Satish Chand for the last number of years has been moving
around in a wheelchair and to earn a living for himself was
begging on the streets of the city until the Social Welfare
Department stopped him from begging.
According to the Director of Universal Office Supplies
Ronald Ritesh they came to the rescue of Chand as he was left
with no source of income.
The company organized a major Bhajannite in Lautoka
where two prominent singers Anmol Chand and Ajesh Chand
performed.
Minister for Education Doctor Mahendra Reddy who was
the chief guest at this fundraising event commended the efforts
put in place by the company to assist an unfortunate member
of the society.
Dr Reddy stressed that it is very important that people who
can afford a decent standard of living also generously assist the
less unfortunate ones.
Mr Ritesh informed that the Bhajannite was very
successful and majority of the money raised was handed over
to Mr Chand.
He stressed that they hope the money will provide some
sort of relief to Chand with his medical and household needs.
FEA Staff spread Christmas cheers

Spent and get a Gift
Happy Diwali & a
Collins 2016 Diary

Prosperous New Year
also on
to Sale
all
Unaisi Vakaciriwaqa and Bhavna Chand of FEA HR Lautoka presenting gifts to one of the
patients at the Lautoka Hospital Childrens ward on Christmas Eve.
Photo: Zareena Bi
the presents and the parents who were present
Zareena Bi
thanked the FEA employees for taking out their
CHRISTMAS is that magical time of time for their children. A few children who
the year that brings about a lot of excitement had come to the hospital for their reviews also
and anticipation for everyone but it is usually received their gifts with delight.
children who await the celebrations most According to the sister-in charge of the
eagerly and look forward for gifts and goodies. Childrens ward Setaita Bulai the gesture by
Unfortunately, during this season some the FEA staff made the parents and children
children end up in the hospital due to health forget their problems for a short while.
issues and spend their Christmas in hospital We are thankful to the team for creating
a very lively atmosphere for the children and
beds.
Keeping this fact in mind staff of Fiji parents.
Electricity Authority (FEA) in the West Lautoka Hospital is the Hub for the
collectively organized Christmas presents for western division and we get referrals from all
the children at the Lautoka Hospital childrens the other hospitals in the west so most of these
ward and visited the ward on Christmas Eve to patients are quite a distance away from their
present the gifts.
homes.
The visit was led by the Human Resources Time is the most valuable gift that you can
Team and team members from the other give on such a busy day like Christmas Eve and
division also joined in to sing Christmas Carols the FEA team has done that to show that they
for the Children while presenting the gifts.
care.
The children were delighted to receive
JANUARY
20, 2016
BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING
Meenoos draws back to school crowd
Customers buying top quality school uniforms from Meenoos Lautoka shop.
ITS that time of the year once again
when parents explore all possible avenues to
adequately equip their children for the new
school year.
It normally becomes a major hassle for
consumers to look for cheaper and quality
school items from different shopping outlets.
However, one of the countries leading
departmental stores Meenoos is the one stop
shop for your entire school items.
Whether it isschool uniforms, bags, shoes
and general stationery item including books
you will find it all at any of the nine Meenoos
outlets Fiji wide.
This fact was cemented with jam pack

customers at all Meenoos shops prior to the
beginning of the 2016 school year.
According to a number of customers
interviewed the main reason for shopping at
Meenoos was the availability of all school
items under one roof with very affordable
prices.
Customers also commended about the high
quality of school uniforms, bags and shoes sold
at their outlets in Lautoka, Ba, Tavua, Nadi,
Sigatoka, Rakiraki and Labasa.
Company Operations Head MonilParmar
informed that the beginning of the 2016 school
09
Book and other stationery items at a very reasonable price at all Meenoos branches Fiji wide
was a delight for parents. Photos: Sanjay Goundar
year has been an extremely busy one for them.
Mr Parmar revealed that they anticipated
customer turnout in huge numbers at all their
outlets because of their massive back to school
specials.
As expected we had parents and students
coming in large numbers to buy school items
from our stores and we ensured that adequate
supply was available to meet the demand.
This year we also had numerous nongovernmental organisations buying school
items from us to assist underprivileged school
children.
We are very thankful to majority parents
and good Samaritans who chose Meenoos

as their ideal choice for their back to school
shopping and we have done our utmost best to
provide them good quality products at a very
affordable price range, he added.
Meanwhile, the parent company of
MeenoosHansraj& Company Limited recently
invested $1.5million on their departmental
store in Nadi called the Next Gen Shop. The
first floor of the shop in main street Nadi was
recently opened to the members of the public.
School Unifroms
& Badges
A4 Ex
Book 100pgs
90c
A4 Ex
Book 200pgs
.50
Maths
4c 200pgs
STYLISH
STYLISH STYLISH
ISH
L
Y
T
S
H
S
I
L
Y
ST
SH
I
L
Y
T
S
H
S
I
STYL
.50
45c
45c
45c
45c
45c
45c
Trendy
Backpacks
From
Books
From
45c
19
The Most Longlasting Sandals in Fiji

45c
45c
From
.99
ALSO VISIT OUR NEW NEXTGEN SHOP - MEENOOS NADI (1st FLOOR) ,
FOR AN ULTIMATE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE AND A HUGE RANGE OF
SCHOOL STATIONERIES, SCHOOL UNIFORMS AND EXERCISE BOOKS
FOR THIS BACK TO SCHOOL
45c
BA LAUTOKA NADI SIGATOKA

RAKIRAKI LABASA TAVUA
VISIT US ON FACEBOOK
https://www.facebook.com/meenoos.fiji
10
JANUARY
20, 2016
ADVERTISEMENT
We are Proud to be the Main Contractors of the State of Art new McDonalds
Lautoka Restaurant
Congratulations to McDonalds on
opening of their State of Art
Restaurant in Lautoka
McDonalds Lautoka Opening Supplement
McDonalds comes to Lautoka

JANUARY
20, 2016
Zareena Bi
THE opening of McDonalds state of
art restaurant in Lautoka late last month is a
hallmark of things to come for our countrys
second largest city.
Speaking at the opening ceremony chief
guest, Prime Minister Rear Admiral Voreqe
Bainimarama stressed that the decision to open
this restaurant was made because Lautokas
growth has been recognized as sustainable and
continuing.
My Government is also keen that Fijis
second largest city has the right infrastructure
and amenities.
McDonalds currently operates three other
restaurants in Fiji one in downtown Suva, one
in Laucala Bay and one in Nadi. So it is only
fitting that a location in Lautoka be opened, as
this city is also home to over 50,000 Fijians.
If you want to host national events, you
need to ensure that you have enough places of
entertainment, shopping and eatery facilities.
That is why the opening of McDonalds is very
timely and fits into the current modernization
11
of Lautoka City.
The Prime Minister also spoke about the
multiple benefits of the restaurants benefit to
Lautokas economy and especially providing
employment to the youths.
Upon its opening, 70 new staff will be
employed, many of whom are young adults and
first time employees.
These Fijians will not only receive full and
part-time employment, they will also undergo
intensive training and learn valuable skills in
the service industry.
Fostering engagement and productivity
among our young people is a major priority
for my Government. McDonalds currently
employs more than 250 people throughout
Fiji.
Meanwhile, for the people of Lautoka
McDonalds modern technological features
with free Wi-Fi and electrical outlets to
charge laptops and smart phones, combined
with childrens play area has the potential to
become an important gathering place for the
community.
We are Proud to be associated with McDonalds Fiji as their Electrical Services Contractor Fijiwide
12
JANUARY
20, 2016
ADVERTISEMENT
PEEKAYS
WHERE FASHION IS CREATED
Back to School for Teachers
Latest Arrival of Formal Skirts, Tops & Dresses for Teachers
Also Stockist of all Back to School Items
Shop 1: 25 Naviti Street, Lautoka

Phone: 6666 292
Shop 2: 7 Yasawa Street, Lautoka

Phone: 6663 464
JANUARY
20, 2016
FEATURE
13
A Glance at the Seven Wonders of the Modern World
Prashneel R. Goundar
Lecturer
School of Communication, Language &
Literature
College of Humanities and Education
Fiji National University
THE beauty of the world is its enhancement
each moment by intellectual thinkers in various
fields. The thinking ability of these individuals
has led to the construction of such monuments
that are credited as the Seven Wonders of the
Modern World. The objective of this article is
to examine the Modern wonders at a glance.
First on the list is the Empire State
Building which is located in New York City,
United States of America. According to the
website Unmuseum (2011), the total cost of
construction was $40, 948, 900 and it was
completed in 1931. Furthermore, it states that
it has a total of 102 floors with a height of
1,454ft. This vibrant building has stayed on
as the Worlds tallest building for 42 years. In
1994, the American Society of Civil Engineers
chose it as one of the Seven Wonders of the
Modern World. One of the first movies to
feature the building was the 1933 movie King
Kong. The world all over recognizes its flood
lights display in the evening, as a sight worth
seeing.
Next on the list is the Panama Canal
located in Panama, Central America.
Unmuseum (2011), states that the canal
opened on 15thAugust 1914. The total cost
of this was USD$375 million and its total
length is of 48 miles or 77 kilometres. The first
attempt to build the canal was not American
but actually the French in 1880. Hindrance to
their construction work was caused by jungle
diseases such as malaria and dengue fever
which led the French to give up their attempt
with a total of 22, 000 lives lost in the process
up till 1889 (Unmuseum, 2011).
When the Americans took over they have
found solution to the mosquito borne diseases
and they changed the architectural design to
have the inclusion of locks. A total of 56,307
people were employed during the American
period and the total number of causalities due
to the accidents stood at 5,609. Moreover,
it was in 1994 that the American Society of
Civil Engineers named it as one of the Seven
Wonders of the Modern World. It still remains
as one of the most amazing engineering feats of
the 20th century (Unmuseum, 2011).
The third wonder to be highlighted is The
Channel Tunnel which links Folkestone and
Britain,to Calais and France. It is 31.35 miles
(50.45km) in length and after eight years
of construction it was finished on 6th May
1994 at a cost of $21 billion. A tunnel boring
machine was used to cut a round passage
through the earth by using a disc-like head
with tungsten teeth that rotated to break up
the rock (Unmuseum, 2011).The project used
eleven boring machines, each of which were
the length of two football fields with a capacity
of chewing through 250 feet of rock a day.
The Channel Tunnel remains one of the largest
construction works in the history of mankind
and in 1996 it was named one of the Seven
Wonders of the Modern World by the American
Society of Civil Engineers.
To continue, fourth on the list is The CNN
Tower which is located in Toronto, Canada that
stands tall at a height of 1,815.4ft (553.33m)
at the antenna. The cost of construction was
$63 million and it opened its doors on 26 June
1976. The Unmuseum website (2011) states
that the emergency staircase up the interior of

the tower is the longest in the world with 2,579
steps that go to the top of the sky pod area. It
further elaborates that the stair case is closed
to the public however, twice a year it is used
for charity stair-climbing events. To add on,
as of 2011, it remains as the highest tower in
the western hemisphere (Unmuseum, 2011).
In addition, close to 2 million visitors visit the
tower annually and in 1995, it was declared as
one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World
by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
The fifth of the wonders to be discussed
is the Golden Gate Bridge which in 1994, the
American Society of Civil Engineers named as
one of the seven wonders of the modern world.
The Bridge has a length of 8,981 feet (2,737m)
and cost $35 million to be built. It is located at
the entrance to San Francisco Bay, California
which was finished on 27 May 1937. On the
opening day, close to 200,000 people walked,
ran or rollerskated over the bridge. It is also
worth noting that the Golden Gate Bridge is

the longest Suspension Bridge in the world
(Unmuseum, 2011). Also, the two towers are
the highest ever to be built for a suspension
bridge.
The second last on the list to be discussed
is The Itaipu located at Parana River between
Brazil and Paraguay that opened on 5 May
1984. It is made up of concrete and steel on
the main side with earth and rock on side of
the dams. Its length is of 4.8 miles (7.2km) and
stands tall at a height of 738 ft (225m) which
cost $18 billion. More than 40,000 workers
were required to build the dam and most of
them were recruited from Brazil but sadly 149
of them lost their lives during the construction
(Unmuseum, 2011). It is further stated that
in 2008, the Itaipu dam generated a total of
94,684 megawatts which is the largest amount
of power ever produced by a single dam.
According to Unmuseum website (2011), this
electricity supplies Paraguay with almost 90
percent of its power and Brazil with around 25
percent.
Finally, to conclude the article, the last
wonder is the Zuiderzee Works and the Delta
Works located in Netherlands, Europe. The
Zuiderzee was completed in 1967 $710 million)
and after 30 years the Delta works ($7 billion)
was completed in 1997. The Unmuseum (2011),
states that due to the rising water levels caused
by global warming, it will continue to need
construction to protect the area. According to
Softschools website (2015), the concrete used
to build the Delta Works has a guarantee of 200
years and also has 16,000km of dams.
This article has provided a brief look at the
Seven Wonders of the Modern world and
further readings by individuals will lead to the
appreciation of each of these wonders.
(DISCLAIMER: These are the views of the
author and not that of this newspaper.)
14
JANUARY
20, 2016
ADVERTISEMENT
LAUTOKA CAMPUS
CAREGIVING FUNDAMENTALS
The USP Lautoka Campus is pleased to announce its first offering of the training course, Caregiving Fundamentals for 2016.
If you are interested in Caregiving as a Homecare Worker, or as a Family Caregiver, or pursuing a career in Caregiving, then this course is for you.
The Course consists of 110 hours of classroom theory, skills and demonstrations and First Aid/CPR training together with 40 hours of practical with
an approved client. This course provides you with necessary skills required in Caregiving.
Successful students will be awarded a Certificate of Completion from USP and First Aid/CPR Certificate from Fiji Red Cross Society.
Day Cluster
Evening Cluster
1 February 2016 18 March 2016

Duration: 7 weeks
Time: 9am to 2pm
Venue: USP Lautoka Campus
1 February 2016 1 April 2016

Duration: 9 weeks
Time: 5pm 8pm
Venue: USP Lautoka Campus
Fees: $900 (Cash, installments, Cheque or can be assisted by FNPF)

Minimum admission requirements: Must be 18 years and over; FJC pass in English or has good command of spoken and written English.
Submit the application with a copy of birth certificate and two (2) passport photos.
We only have 20 places per class to apply early to secure your place.
To obtain the enrolment form and for further information, contact Rajendra Singh, tel: 6666800; fax: 6667133 or
email: rajendra.singh@usp.ac.fj or Babita Sharma, email: Babita.Sharma@usp.ac.fj or enquire at the USP Lautoka Campus, Western House,
corner of Vidilo Street, Lautoka or visit our website: www.usp.ac.fj/lautoka
CISCO NETWORK ACADEMY

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
FOR ENROLLING IN 2016 CCNA COURSE
CCNA Routing and Switching V5 focus on network infrastructure, mainly Routing and Switching, but it also includes Wireless access,
Security and Connectivity to branch offices using WAN.
Students move from Basic networking to more complex enterprise and theoretical networking models later in the curriculum.
Target Group: This specialised training is suitable for fulfilling the career aspirations of those either employed or seeking a career in
networking in a competitive environment during this era of rapid technological advancement.
MODULE
DATE
START DATE
END DATE
WEEKS
CCNA-1
Introduction to Networks
TCP/IP Suite, Application Layer, Transport Layer, Internet

Layer, Network Access Layer
2/2/16
8/4/16
10
CCNA-2 Routing & Switching
Swtich Network Device, Switch Network Configs,

Routing Protocols (OSPF), Configuration (IPV4 & IPV6)
19/4/16
24/7/16
10
CCNA-3
Scaling Networks
LAN Redundancy, Etherchannel, Advance OSPF/EIGRP,

(IPV4 & IPV6), Trouble Shooting
5/7/16
9/9/16
10
CCNA-4
Connecting Networks
Hierarchical Network Design, Connecting to the WAN,

Point-to-Point Connections, Frame Relay, Network Address Translation
for IPV4, Broadband Solutions
27/9/16
2/12/16
10
Venue: USP Lautoka Campus- Classes will be offered two evenings per week from 5pm to 8pm as per schedule given above.
Fees: $900 per module
Placement: Only 20 places are available so it will be offered on first come-first served basis.
To obtain enrolment form and for further information, contact: Rajendra Singh, tel: 6666800; fax: 6667133 or
email: singh_ra@usp.ac.fj or Babita Sharma, email: Babita.Sharma@usp.ac.fj or enquire at the USP Lautoka Campus,
Western House, corner of Vidilo Street, Lautoka
TOWARDS EXCELLENCE IN LEARNING AND KNOWLEDGE CREATION

JANUARY
20, 2016
SPORTS
DEVELOPING THE EDGE IN PLAYERS AND COACHES
Osea Umuumulovo
(Former Fiji Rugby Union senior rugby
development officer, video analyst and rugby
consultant)
The opponent in your head

is more daunting than the
one the other side of the
net.
Wouldnt it be great if all the players felt
100% physically and mentally before game? I
could not imagine too many coaches have the
luxury of this. The players need to feel they can
make on impact on the game and be ready all
cylinders firing. I am going to give you my
thoughts on how to develop the edge in players
and how we as coaches can influence that and
need to develop the edge too.
From people I have been in contact with
through conferences, courses and one on one
chats, I find they all seem to echo the same

thing: that the player must excel in managing
their own self.
It sounds pretty easy doesnt it? In
everyday life we make simple decisions that
will affect our life, eating, drinking, sleeping
etc. You have a decision to make, either do it or
dont, each with its own positive and negative
consequence. Its the same with rugby.
Players have the choice on how good
they can be. Each decision they make having
a positive or negative consequence. And I
am not just talking about the decisions they
make during trainings or games, but also the
decisions they make off the field too.
If you train hard and stick to your goals
surely this means you will be a successful
player. I am sure most people would agree that
it is the small things that you do right which
will make a huge difference. For example;
eating right, stretching, turning up on time,
asking questions and being focused at training
are some of the small things you need to do
right to develop the edge. It all seems so easy,
but it is not.
Players should think of and apply this
quote:
No one in the world prepares and trains as
well as I do.
If they can think this, and follow through
with conviction, then they are on the right road
to developing the edge. So why do players find
this difficult? Quite simply- our players have
never really been coached to do this at a young
age.
What is managing own self? (I got this from
the New Zealand Curriculum and re-worded it
to adapt to a rugby environment) It is associated
with self-motivation, a can-do attitude, and
with players willing to be learners. Players who

manage themselves are enterprising, reliable,
and resilient. They establish personal goals,
make plans, self-assess and set high standards.
They have strategies for challenges. They
know when to lead, when to follow, and when
and how to act independently.
How do we as coaches develop this in our

players?
As you can imagine it is quite a challenging
task, however, what you can do is make them
aware of it and give them the stepping-stones to
become good at it.
Again, these are my thoughts on developing the
edge in players and you may not necessarily
agree, but this is how I believe it can be
achieved.
Firstly ask, what is your dream?
What is your ultimate goal?
At first you will find players that will not
know. It is a classic situation that either they
do not want to tell you their dream, as it could
be something they are embarrassed about
sharing. Also, they do not really believe they
can achieve it or they have never really thought
about (which is a lie). Once we can get this out
of them we need to value his/her dream and do
as much as possible to help them achieve this
and start to build their self-confidence.
It is very important that we create the right
environment for the players to achieve their
dream or goal. Here are some of my thoughts:
Give the athletes the opportunity to
experience their limits
Encourage the right choices
Take each athlete out of their comfort
zones
Vodafone Fiji 7s coach Ben Ryan talks to his players during the Gold Coast 7s. Photo: Supplied.
15
Decision Making under pressure and

fatigue
Basic Core skills
Strive for excellence in each individual
Help, congratulate, and listen.
Be prepared to stand back and trust
players ability and let them do their job.
Talk to them about things outside of
rugby.
You do not need to be their best
friend but you should know who they are,
where they come from and what makes
them who they are.
As a coach you need the players to buy in
to managing their own selves and be committed
to it. A survey was done on Olympic athletes
and these are the four qualities they wanted
their coaches to have:
Integrity
Fairness
Honesty
Moral Courage
You would have to agree that an athlete will
really only listen to a coach that they respect,
they may not necessarily agree with them all
the time, but they respect their expertise and
demeanor. Coaches must gain this respect from
their players. I know I have a couple of coaches
that I never really listened to because they
never had those four qualities, if any. The ones
that did though, I sat back and tried to hang
onto their every word.
*This is Part 1 of the authors contribution.
We will have Part 2 in our February issue.*
(DISCLAIMER: These are the views of the
author and not that of this newspaper.)
16
JANUARY
20, 2016
SPORTS
Japan 7s in wild card entry Mickkelson to captain NZ 7s team
The Japan 7s team will be a wild card entry during the Singapore 7s. Photos: Supplied
up at last months Cape Town Sevens and
Source: WorldRugby
Kenya finished among the top four, so we want

FANS of Japans Brave Blossoms can now
to qualify for the Cup and our target is a top
look forward to watching the Asian countrys
four finish in Singapore.
sevens team in action during the Singapore leg
of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in
Rugby Sevens series have seen a few upsets
April, with Japan officially named as the wild
and rugby fans will be hoping that the Japanese
card team in the 16-nation tournament.
sevens squad can spring a surprise or two in
Singapore.
The reigning Asian Games champions, who
Already, the first two legs of the World
secured an automatic berth for the 2016 Rio
Olympics by winning the Asia Rugby Sevens
the United States clinched a monumental first
Qualifier in Hong Kong in November, joins the
series win over New Zealand in the group stage
15 core teams - Argentina, Australia, Canada,
and progressed to the quarter-finals where they
England, Fiji, France, Kenya, New Zealand,
dumped defending Dubai Sevens champions
Portugal, Russia, Samoa, Scotland, South
South Africa out of the tournament. USA then
Africa and Wales on the World Rugby Sevens
stunned New Zealand Sevens 31-12 in the
Series circuit which stops over in Singapore on
bronze play-off in Dubai.
16/17 April.
The Sevens World

Series is the worlds top
tournament for sevens
sides in terms of speed,
power, skill, tactics and
game management,
said head coach Tomohiro Segawa in Tokyo.
In the opening Dubai Sevens last month,
More upsets were recorded a week later at
the Cape Town Sevens as Argentina beat 12time World Rugby Sevens Series champions
New Zealand 22-19 in the quarter-finals and
edged out Kenya 24-22 in a thrilling semi-final
to qualify for their first series final.
Rugby and sports fans will no doubt
remember Japans exploits at last years Rugby
World Cup in England where they lighted up
the tournament with three sensational wins
including the heart-stopping last-minute 34-32
At
the
Singapore
Sevens,
as
Asias
representative in an Asian country, we want to

beat the top teams. Argentina was the runner-
upset of South Africa.
DJ Forbes (middle) and Sonny Bill Williams (right) train with the New Zealand 7s team in
readiness for the Wellington and Sydney 7s.
Source: WorldRugby
VETERAN sevens specialist Tim
Mikkelson will captain the All Blacks Sevens
for the remaining eight rounds of the HSBC
World Rugby Sevens Series.
Mikkelson replaces Scott Curry who
suffered a season ending shoulder injuring at
the Dubai Sevensin December.
Tims a top player with many seasons
of experience and has some great leadership
qualities, said head coach Gordon Tietjens.
He knows the game inside out so Im confident
he has what it takes to lead the team over the
rest of the season. Tims got huge respect from
all the players and I know there will be plenty
of support for him.
It was a real blow to lose Scott in Dubai,
but its great we have someone as experienced
as Tim to step in.
Mikkelson (29) has been a standout
performer in the side since making his debut at
the South Africa Sevens in 2007. The veteran of
56 World Series tournaments has scored more
tries than any other New Zealand sevens player
and is currently seventh highest try scorer in
World Series history. His outstanding form in

2013 saw him named the World Rugby (then
IRB) Sevens Player of the Year.
Its an honour to be given the responsibility
to lead the team for the rest of the World
Series, said Mikkelson. Ive got big shoes to
fill, but weve got a great pool of experienced
players who will all be helping out.
Its a really exciting year ahead for sevens
and were looking forward to playing in
Wellington as its the only time we play in front
of our home fans. Were really hoping theres
a big turnout as its a huge year for us and we
love the support we get in the capital.
Were certainly working hard after the
challenging start to the season and hope to
turn things around with a great performance in
Wellington.
The All Blacks Sevens are currently
seventh in the World Series. The Wellington
Sevens kicks off on 30 January and the All
Blacks Sevens play Scotland, South Africa and
Russia in pool play.
JANUARY
20, 2016
SPORTS
Fiji U23 in historic Spain tour
Cristiano Ronaldo (left) and Lionel Messi play for Real Madrid FC and Barcelona FC
respectively in the La-Liga in Spain.
Photo: Supplied
Maika Kasami
FIJI Football Association is leaving no
stones unturned in their preparation towards its
maiden representation at the Olympics in Rio
de Janeiro, Brazil in August.
The Fiji U23 side qualified to the Olympics
after claiming victory at the Pacific Games in
Papua New Guinea last year.
And it is a dream come true for the
25-member team as they are in Spain, the home
of the 2010 FIFA World Cup champions.
Coach Frank Farina has selected the cream
of the Fiji U20 players that represented the
country to the FIFA World Cup in New Zealand
Maika Kasami
THE Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast 7s
tournament continues to grow in stature as one
of the most looked forward events and one of
the toughest competitions on earth.
With the lucrative $40,000 on offer for
both the mens and womens divisions, it is no
wonder that the organizers only accommodate
the top local clubs from around the country in
the tournament.
The idea of including teams from abroad is
a bonus as they bring variations in their style of
play.
This year Tonga, Germany, the Aussie
Thunderbolts and the Serevi Select from
the United States were part of the three-day
tournament at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka.
Also the initiative to have international
sevens ambassadors is another contributing
factor to the success of the tournament.
Players like Karl Tenana, the late Jonah
Lomu, David Campese, Waisale Serevi and
the latest inclusion to the Walk of Fame Lote
Tuqiri have attracted extensive coverage in the
dailys through their star prowess.
Their presence attracts teams and spectators
to come out in numbers to witness champagne
17
The Fiji under 23 side preparing for the Rio Olympics in Spain.
Photo: Fiji FA Media- Avikash Chand
last year.
Six- senior players are with the team
with three players to play at one time as per
tournament rules at the Olympics.
The matches against some of the top
clubs in Spain will provide the right pathway
in readiness for the much anticipated world
sporting event.
According to Fijifootball.com, the Fiji U23
side played Lavante United on Tuesday 19 and
on 20 against Elche CF which both are the
second divisions in the Spanish football league
from Segunda Division.
The side played CF Cracks on Thursday
21 and on 26 January faces Villareal Club,
which was the fifth ranked team in the La Liga

competition.
A match against Valencia CF on Wednesday
27 and the final match will be against Shanfi
Shenua from Chinese Super League.
Rewa goalkeeper Simione Tamanisau, Ba
defender Alvin Singh, Ba utility Abbu Zaid,
Lautoka defender Samuela Kautoga and Nadi
midfielder Munit Krishna are some of the
senior players in the squad.
Team:
Ba: Misiwane Nairube, Samuela Nabenia,
Abbu Zahid Saheed (senior), Avinesh Waran
Swamy (senior), Alvin Singh (senior),
Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast 7s grows
sevens rugby first hand.

Serevi who has been frequenting the
tournament since its inception in 2010 believes
the tourney is getting tougher every year with
the winner very hard to predict.
He said the level of competition and
the commitment of the players towards the
abbreviate code is of high standard.
The former Fiji sevens coach/player said
this can be attributed to the hard work of the
coaches behind the scene.
Some of the top local coaches include Lote
Rasiga (Red Rock), Sailosi Naiteqe (Uprsing),
Epeli Lagiloa (Westfield Dragons) and Etonia
Naba (Police).
The local players have played
exceptionally well at the tournament and have
shown the ability to represent the country.
Ive seen a lot of great teams and the level
of competition amongst teams is getting tougher
every year. In this trend, the tournament has the
potential to reach greater heights in future,
said the sevens maestro Serevi.
Meanwhile as the norm every year, the
tournament unearths many raw talents who
later go on to become household names in

sevens rugby.
This years Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast 7s
player of the tournament award went to Police
7s forward Sevanaia Nadruku.
Lautoka- Kolinio Vakarauvanua Sivoki,

Samuela Kautoga (senior);
Nadi- Napolioni Qasevakatini, Munit Krishna
(senior);
Nadroga- Anish Khem;
Suva- Jale Dreloa, Antonio Tuivuna, Rusiate
Matarerega, Filipe Baravilala, Sakaraia Naisua,
Nickel Chand, Tevita Kalisito Cakau Koroi;
Rewa- Setariki Waqanitoga Hughes, Iosefo
Verevou, Ratu Tevita Waranaivalu, Garish Henry
Prasad, Ratu Savenaca Robosenawainibuka
Nakalevu,
SimioneTamanisau
(senior);
Labasa- Manasa Levaci, Christopher Frances
Wasasala.
It was history in the making for TFL Fijiana

Makosoi rep Lavenia Tinai who became the
first female to walk-away with the Jonah Lomu
Top Try scorer award. This award has only
won by males since the debut tournament sixyears ago. For the males, Red Rocks William
Ryder was the top try scorer with five tries to
his name.
Tournament ambassador Waisale Serevi with the Cup winners Police 7s team.
Photo: Courtesy of Fiji Sun - Waisea Nasokia
We are also specialised in
GRAPHIC DESIGNING
Logos, Business Cards, Advertisements,
Banner s, Posters, Corporate Profiles,
Magazines, Brochures, Flip Cards,
Letterheads and many more!!!
CONTACT : Sanjay Goundar or Maika Kasami I Phone: 996 0129/ 918 9779 I Emails: citystarnews@kaiviti.com, sanjayg@connect.com.fj
18
JANUARY
20, 2016
SPORTS
Nadi, Suva gun for first CvC title
Osea Vakatalesau (left) and Nadi defender Eliki Ravosai eye the ball during the CVC in 2014.
Maika Kasami
2014 CVC Ba soccer captain Jone Vesikula (right) and Marika Madigi with the CvC trophy
and cheque. Looking on are Fiji FA president Rajesh Patel and the sponsor Narendra Pillay.
Both teams have featured before in the
(January 31) set by Fiji Football Association
CvC but have been unsuccessful so far.
in regards to the unavailability of several of its
their key players at their disposal and will have
They now get the opportunity to carve their
players, the parent body has set the new date
no excuse come game time.
Champion winner will be crowned in 2016 as name on the CvC trophy for the very first time.
as February 5 for the first leg which is a Friday
the series will kick-off the new soccer season.
night kick-off (7pm) at the ANZ Stadium in
in the tour to Spain with the Fiji Under 23 side.
Nadi and Suva will feature in the home and 2014 Courts Inter District Championship while
Suva.
Ba, who has won the CvC title for the most
away matches which will be played in early Nadi makes it through after winning the 2015
The second leg will be played at Prince Charles
number of times, has qualified to feature in the
February a week before the start of the 2016 Galaxy National Football League.
Park a day later on a Sunday at 2pm (February
2017 CvC following its Courts IDC 2015 win
National Football League.
7) at Prince Charles Park.
at Govind Park.
A new Pillay Garments Champion versus
Suva qualifies for the series after winning the
After Suva disputed on the initial date
This means both teams will have most of
Suva has seven while Nadi has two players
SPORTS
Fiji 7s out to break five year-jinx

JANUARY
20, 2016
Reports : Maika Kasami
Th Fiji Sevens team winners in Gold Coast in 2014.
Vakatalesau wants Olympic spot
NATIONAL soccer rep Osea Vakatalesau

is set to return to competitive football in March.
The lanky striker is steadily recovering from
injury and has revealed big plans for the new
soccer season.
Vakatalesau who has had stints with Hekari
United FC of Papua New Guinea and recently
Vanuatus Amicale FC is yet to declare which
district he will play for in 2016.
But the New Year and the staging of the
Olympics in Rio, Brazil in August has seen
the top marksman eager as ever to return to the
local scene and prove him-self.
Im really looking forward to getting back
on the field. My goal this year is to make the
Fiji team to the Olympics. It will be tough for
me as Im still recovering from my injury but
its not impossible.
Ive been out of action for four-months.
THE Vodafone Fiji 7s team will be out

to break a five-year jinx when they run onto
the field at Westpac Trust Stadium for the
Wellington 7s.
The last time the national side had won
at the NZ capital was during the 2009/2010
season.
The side defeated Samoa 19-14 in the final.
Fiji were coached by now Telecom Fijiana
coach Iliesa Tanivula and the team had players
like Jiuta Lutumailagi, Jerry Burotu, Pio Tuwai,
Emosi Vucago, current sevens captain Osea
Kolinisau, Setefano Cakau and William Ryder.
The Ben Ryan coached side will need to
maintain a top finish in Wellington and
Sydney to maintain its number one spot in
the 2015/2016 HSBC World Sevens Series
Its the same old knee injury. My doctor

advised me to rest for five-months. Ive got
one more month to go before I get back on the
field.
He said he is yet to decide on which local
team to play for this year.
Ive yet to decide which local district Ill
play for. In-fact no one has approached me so
far so Ill wait and see for the right time, said
Vakatalesau who last played for Ba during the
2013 Courts Inter-District Championship.
Vakatalesau was part of the six Fiji players
who represented Hekari at the historic Club
World Cup appearance in 2010 in Abu Dhabi.
The others were Pita Bolaitoga, Tuimasi
Manuca, Malakai Tiwa, Alvin Singh and
Simione Tamanisau.
Lautoka Masters expects tough tourney

THE Fiji Lautoka Masters will be fielding
two teams at the New Zealand veterans soccer
tournament scheduled to be held in Auckland,
New Zealand at the end of January.
Fiji Lautoka Masters secretary Irinale
Nabalarua confirmed they will be fielding a
team in the 35plus category and also in the
40plus category.
The 35plus team will be battling for the
Late JD Maharaj Memorial trophy whilst the
Late Leone Rakoroi trophy will be up for grabs
for the 40plus.
The official pool draws have been done
with the Fiji Lautoka Masters 35plus team in
Pool B alongside NZ Nadi, Auckland Ba and
UBN Sydney.
For the 40plus category, the side has been
drawn in Pool B with the likes of NZ Levuka,
NZ Rewa and Lautoka Veterans.
Nabalarua revealed the Fiji Lautoka

Masters 35plus team has the services of players
like Samuela Turaganivalu, Ratu Jerry Masi
and Viliame Seru whilst Inosi Kacavou, Tevita
Rasolo and Tevita Waqabaca will be leading
the charge for the 40plus.
He said the two teams are looking forward
to give their best at the tournament.
We have been training for approximately
two-months and the daily attendance has been
good.
We will be taking a total of 22-players
for the tournament and we are hoping for the
best. We are aware of the stiff competition we
will face in New Zealand and we have trained
accordingly, said Nabalarua who was also part
of the City United FC side who featured in the
Rooster Chicken National Club Championship
final against eventual winners 4R Electrical Ba.
Results not a matter: Fiji U23 captain Singh

FIJI under 23 team captain Alvin Singh
says the final results against the top club teams
in Spain should not be an issue but instead they
will be focusing on the positives they can get
out of the tour.
The national side is on a two-week tour
abroad in preparation for the 2016 Rio Olympic
Games that is scheduled to be held in August.
Singh said being named captain of the team is
an honour for him and has promised to carry
out his role diligently.
The coach has bestowed his trust on me
and its a huge responsibility. I will do my
outmost best to do the job, the Ba defender
said.
He said they will be up against top Spanish
clubs like Lavante FC and Valencia in their
same age group and has urged his teammates to
give in their best performance in bid to impress
the coaches.
Results are not an issue but we will try to

do our best by playing as a team. We will give
in our best effort and try to convince the coach
for the selection for the final team to Rio.
The boys are pretty excited to be here
in Spain. You can see the players putting up
pictures on facebook daily so we are enjoying
our tour but at the same time know the
importance of the task at hand, added Singh.
The senior players in the side in Simione
Tamanisau, Singh, Avinesh Waran Suwamy,
Munit Krishna and Samuela Kautoga have
been given the responsibility to lead the other
players.
The final match on tour for the side is
against Shanfi Shenua from Chinese Super
League.
The team is scheduled to arrive back on
February 2.
19
standings.
With the Olympics in mind, Ryan has a lot
on his plate in a bid to steer the national sevens
team to its first ever Olympic gold medal.
Fiji is pooled with Argentina, Wales and
Japan at the Cake Tin.
The draws for the Sydney 7s will be done
before the Wellington 7s final.
Meanwhile, Australia Rugby Union chief
executive Bill Pulver is thrilled to see the
Australian leg of the HSBC World Sevens
series shifted to Sydney.
We are thrilled to be able to bring Rugby
Sevens to Sydney, Pulver said.
We truly believe that Sydney has the
potential to match the excitement surrounding
tournaments like Hong Kong, Twickenham and
Wellington in terms of event experience and
crowd numbers.
Osea Vakatalesau while representing the national side.
20
JANUARY
20, 2016
Sports
The Fiji Lautoka Masters pictured before one of their training runs at Churchill Park ground 2. The Sugar City side will be participating at a veterans soccer tournament in New Zealand.
Story on Page 19.
Photo: Maika Kasami.
Ray of light for Fiji Boxing
Maika Kasami
AMIDST the dark days of the sport of
boxing in Fiji, there comes a time when things
begin to turn for the better; probably the
beginning for better things to follow.
The news that a local promoter has been
given the green light to hold a program in New
Zealand is like a breath of fresh air.
And that is great news and an achievement
for a dedicated promoter who is only twoprograms old in the country.

Praneel Dass of Westwood Boxing
Promotions has had his boxing program staged
in Nadi and Labasa in a space of three months
last year and has promised close to three more
events this year notably one in Suva.
I am very excited at being given this
opportunity to stage a boxing event in NZ. This
is a big step for Fiji boxing and will also give
our local boxers exposure and much needed

overseas experience, an elated Dass said.
The Lautoka based promoter said his NZ
program is scheduled to be held on Saturday 19
March at the ABA Stadium a venue which has
hosted many boxing events over the years.
President of the New Zealand National
Boxing Federation (NZNBF) David Craig and
board member Faiyaz Khan were involved
in making it possible for the first ever Fijian
promoter to stage a promotion abroad.

NZBNF oversees over 25-30 boxing
programs a year and most of the professional
boxing in these programs are inter gym and
overseas title fights.
Westwood Boxing Promotions is currently
in advanced negotiations with NZ boxers and
their managers who will be fighting in the
program.
Working with clients throughout the life of their Projects
New Stock Just Arrived
Poly Compression Fittings
Swimming Pool Filters
Submersible Grinder Pump

Universal Pump
Stainless Steel Filtration System

/Filter Bag Housing (20inch)
Float Switch
Tsurumi Pump
CNP Pump
Corner Royal Palm & Service Road, Navutu Industrial, Lautoka.

Email: sales@oceaniawatergroup.com
also visit us at
Phone: 7743126 / 7027161

www.oceaniawatergroup.com

January 2016 Llow Res

Hochgeladen von

Dokumentinformationen

Copyright

Verfügbare Formate

Dieses Dokument teilen

Dokument teilen oder einbetten

Freigabeoptionen

Stufen Sie dieses Dokument als nützlich ein?

Sind diese Inhalte unangemessen?

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

January 2016 Llow Res

Hochgeladen von

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

McDonalds now in

VOLUME 6 NO: 9 SERVING THE COMMUNITY OF FIJI WITH PASSION

JANUARY 20, 2016 - FEBRUARY 20, 2016

Wedding & Party Equipment Hire / Wedding & Party Decorations

School age Reduction

With all this advancements the learning capacity of children is also

CITY STAR - THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FROM LAUTOKA

Rheumatic heart mobile clinic launched

to strengthen Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD)

Velovelo Mandali helps Tanisha

Rheumatic fever is an illness commonly seen

will also be used to raise awareness on RHD.

WESTERN ALUMINIUM JOINERY LIMITED

her daughter with her education needs.

CITY STAR - THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FROM LAUTOKA

Director: Alex Fong

Fiji students invited to study at Indias Islamic Institute

AN invitation has been extended for

CITY STAR - THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FROM LAUTOKA

He follows in the path of the Prophet

LAUTOKA CITY COUNCIL NEWS

P. Meghji Hotel timely for Lautoka

the Shelly Park Hotel project will add a new and

Nakauvadra thanked the directors of P.Meghji

We are confident that this project will

2016 RATE LEVY

CASHIERS OPENING HOURS (Jan 1st Jan 31st 2016

LAUTOKA CITY COUNCIL NEWS

Four Year in a Row

DENGUE FEVER- BE WISE ACT NOW !!

THE Lautoka City Council has achieved a major milestone after

Please take preventative measures to prevent any outbreak of Dengue fever:

People of Lautoka enjoying themselves during the New Years street

CITY STAR - THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FROM LAUTOKA

EDITORIAL - January tough for parents

IF parents had not been saving up for the

us with very limited or sometimes no cash in

PUBLISHER : SANJAY GOUNDAR : PH: 9960 129/ 8493 057

the parents to battle all odds and deliver for the

sending their children to school for education.

T/A : WESTERN MEDIA ENTERPRISES

Avenues for education for the needy

HARI LAL INVESTMENTS

SI Lautoka Treasurer Ranjini Sanjay

Specialised in: general groceries, frozen goods,

2 Ram Sami Reddy Rd, Junction of S.M. Koya Rd.,

CITY STAR - THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FROM LAUTOKA

Mandali rewards members

Most outstanding young talent of the Bhakti

therefore decided that it is now appropriate to

during any of our sittings or functions and we

SIVAM & COMPANY

Location: Nadi Town Council Complex

Mobile: 924 4868 / 995 0069

CITY STAR - THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FROM LAUTOKA

P.O Box 107, Nadi, Fiji Islands

Universal assists disabled

Minister for Education Dr Mahendra Reddy (left) officiates

Koroipita resident Satish Chand who has been assisted

THE owners of Lautoka based renowned bookshop,

FEA Staff spread Christmas cheers

Collins 2016 Diary

BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING

Meenoos draws back to school crowd