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General Election of Surprises

Sanjay Goundar

The 2022 general elections will undoubtedly be remembered

for ages to come as a surprise packed polling.
As expected by many there was a neck to neck battle
between the two major political rivals the Fiji First Party and
the People’s Alliance Party.
However, despite being given very less rating by local
political pundits the Social Democratic Liberal Party jolted
the entire nation becoming the kingmaker securing 5.14 % or
24,172 votes from the total vote casted.
Proud SODELPA leader Viliame Gavoka revealed during a
press conference that winning three seats amidst all adversities
is quite an achievement for the party.
“There were those who thought that we will not be here, we
will not win these seats and most surprising is that nobody
knew we will be sitting in this position today and decide who
will form the next government.
“I would like to thank all our supporters who remained
faithful to the party and enabled us to come this far,” Gavoka
stressed.
At the conclusion of the counting proper for the 2022 general
elections none of the nine political parties contesting were able
to meet the 50% or more threshold to form the next government
on their own.
After 16 years of rule the popularity of Fiji First Party
leader Rear Admiral (retired) Frank Bainimarama significantly
declined in this election which was the prime reason the party The People’s Alliance Party leader Major General (Retired) Sitiveni Rabuka with party suppporters during a rally in Lautoka
failed to meet the threshold.
Fiji First Party managed to only secure 42.55 percent or 200, general election securing five parliamentary seats. People’s Alliance Party
246 votes out of the total votes casted this year with majority of From 33, 515 votes in 2018 general elections NFP managed Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka, Lynda Diseru Tabuya, Charan
their votes coming from the western division (91, 163) similar to see a decent increase in their vote counts to 41, 830 though Jeath Singh, Filimoni Wainiqolo Rasokisoki Vosarogo, Manoa
to what they attained in the 2014 and 2018 general elections. party leader Professor Biman Prasad suffered slight decline in Seru Nakausabaria Kamikamica, Isikeli Tuiwailevu, Iliesa
In 2018 FFP managed to secure 227, 241 votes which resulted his individual vote numbers. Sovui Vanawalu, Siromi Dokonivalu Turaga, Ratu Atonio
in a very narrow win over SODELPA. Bainimarama managed Unity Fiji Party led by former Governor of the Reserve Rabici Lalabalavu, Jese Saukuru, Ratu Rakuita Solesole
to secure 167, 732 votes in 2018 which came down by a total Bank of Fiji Savenaca Narube, Fiji Labour Party, One People’s Sauramaeva Vakalalabure,
of 30,903 votes to 136, 829 votes in this general election. Fiji Party, New Generation Party, We Unite Fiji Party and two Maciu Katamotu Nalumisa, Jovesa Rokuta Vocea, Sakiusa
First Party general secretary Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum was the independent candidates failed to meet the 5% threshold to Tubuna,
only party candidate whose vote number increased in FFP from secure parliamentary seats. Vatimi Tidara Tuinasakea Kaunitawake Rayalu, Ro Filipe
17, 271 to 22,524 votes in this general election. Meanwhile, the final list of candidates who have paved their Qaraniqio Tuisawau,
The People’s Alliance Movement led by Major General way into parliament after the 2022 general elections include: Tomasi Niuvotu Tunabuna, Sakiasi Raisevu Ditoka, Esrom
Sitiveni Rabuka despite stiff competition from other I taukei Yosef Immanuel, Kalaveti Vodo Ravu, Alitia Vakatai Bavou
political parties managed to keep its momentum and possibly Fiji First Party: Cirikiyasawa Bainivalu.
secure largest percentage of the I taukei votes. Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Parveen
PAP received a total of 168,581 votes which is 35.83% of Kumar Bala, Mahendra Reddy , Hem Chand, Ratu Josaia National Federation Party
the total votes casted. Apart from the western division the party Bulavakarua Niudamu, Rinesh Rajesh Sharma, Alvick Avhikrit Biman Chand Prasad, Lenora Salusalu Qereqeretabua, Agni
managed to topple FFP in all the other three divisions securing Maharaj, Rosy Sofia Akbar, Vijay Nath, Ioane Naivalurua, Deo Singh, Pio Tikoduadua, Sashi Kiran
more votes. Most of the votes for PAP came from the Central Inia Batikoto Seruiratu, Shalen Kumar, Faiyaz Siddiq Koya,
division (76, 697 votes). Premila Devi Kumar, SODELPA:
After securing three seats only in the 2014 and 2018 general Jone Usamate, Viam Pillay, Sanjay Salend Kirpal, Joseph Viliame Rogoibulu Gavoka, Ifereimi Vasu, Aseri Masivou
elections the oldest political party in the country, the National Nitya Nand, Semi Tuleca Koroilavesau, Ifereimi Waqainabete, Radrodro.
Federation Party saw much needed improvement in this Viliame Naupoto, Aliki Bia, Naisa Tatau Tuinaceva, Mosese
Drecala Bulitavu, Ketan Kirit Lal
2 NEWS
Inaya shines as Natabua’s academic genius
Top achievers of Natabua High School during their annual awards program recently. Photos: Sanjay Goundar
Sanjay Goundar
One of the country’s top academic performer has culminated
her secondary school journey on a very high note.
After topping the school in the Fiji Year 10 external
examination and becoming the country’s top five highest scorer
in the Year 12 external examination last year 18-year-old Inaya
Ali was honoured with the Principals Award for being the Most
Outstanding Student in the field of academic performance for
Natabua High School.
The school head girl also received subject awards for all
the five subjects she set for in last year’s external examination
along with the overall highest scorer award.
An elated Inaya revealed after receiving her spoils that she
cannot describe her feelings as this was the most incredible
moment of her life.
“When I entered Natabua High School it was the first year
the academic excellence award was introduced and winning
this award was phenomenal.
“I would like to thank my principal, teachers, parents and
everybody who had helped me to get this award, help me
academically and helped me in my co-curricular activities.
“My life at Natabua High School had been filled with
incredible experiences, ones that I will cherish for the rest of
my life.
“Thank you to the teachers and thank you to Natabua High
School for being an integral part of my life.”
The lass from Nadi informed that after topping the school in
Year 10 and Year 12 external examination she has a big task
to maintain her standard in the Year 13 examination this year.
She added that she is determine to pursue her career in
medicine from next year undertaking the MBBS programme
to become a doctor.
CITY STAR - THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FROM LAUTOKA
DECEMBER, 2022
Natabua High School’s best academic achiever for 2022
Inaya Ali with Commissioner Western Apolosi Lewaqai
Meanwhile, chief guest at the Natabua awards night
Commissioner Western Apolosi Lewaqai whilst congratulating
the award recipients told them that they have gone through a
very important phase of their educational life which has set the
stage for long life learning.
“At this juncture I must thank the parents and guardians
for giving the children the support and providing an enabling
environment which ensures that children’s potential could be
reached and developed through a wide variety of excellent
learning experiences.
“Those students who have not won any prizes should not be
disappointed as there will be many more opportunities coming
your way in years to come and when those opportunities come
seize them, make use of them and do not let your past mistakes
overwhelm you.
“Learn from mistakes if you want to be successful in life,”
Commissioner Lewaqai emphasized.
DECEMBER, 2022 NEWS 3

Education is life – Nailatikau

Sanjay Goundar

“Education is not preparation for life, education is life

itself.”
Quoting great American Philosopher John Dewey,
Chancellor of University of Fiji and former President
of Fiji Ratu Epeli Nailatikau told 369 graduates of
University of Fiji during the 21st graduation ceremony
of the university on December 16 that education equips
everyone to make quality decisions as an individual, for
our communities and as a nation.
Ratu Epeli stressed that in an increasingly competitive
world education has become a necessity for the individual
growth and for success in life and nation building.
“Education allows us to better understand the world we
live. It arms us with a tool and the know how to address
calamities of our time such as climate change, pandemics,
poverty, pollution, corruption, viruses and violence.
“Education is a lifelong process as we live in a very
dynamic, fast pace and ever changing world.
“To the graduates this is not the end of a phase but
the beginning of another journey of personal and career
growth.”
The former Speaker of the Fijian Parliament reminded
the graduates that success comes to those who show University of Fiji’s MBBS graduate from Sanasana Nadi Kavinesh Kumar with his proud family members after the graduation
commitment in their chosen fields which is achieved ceremony on December 16. Photos: Sanjay Goundar
through nothing else then their hard work, dedication and
perseverance.
“Success is not a destination but an endless journey to
self-exploration.
“It is unlocking your true potential to make your life a
pleasant work of art. Today you have reached a milestone
towards your endless journey but you have fortified
yourself well for it and you really deserve to celebrate
your hard work, sacrifice and perseverance.
“But never forget to acknowledge those you have
supported you in your journey so we also need to
acknowledge your lecturers, parents and guardians. “
Ratu Epeli emphasized that education is a shared
commitment between dedicated lecturers, motivated
students and immensely supportive parents and guardians.
He encouraged parents and guardians to continue
supporting their children’s education and career
advancement as this is an investment not only for the
family but also for nation building.”
“A graduation ceremony is one of the most memorable
events for any university and especially for its graduating
students. At this graduation not only we celebrate and
acknowledge the achievement of the graduates but
acknowledge the tremendous and generous support of
your parents, families’ guardians, friends and peers.”
Graduates at the University of Fiji’s 21st graduation ceremony at it’s Saweni Campus in Lautoka on December 16.

Gold medalist applauds UniFiji’s services

Zareena Bi
“Today we celebrate our victory accomplished by
discipline, patience and sacrifice and I applaud the University
of Fiji, its founders and academic and administrative staff for
establishing this outstanding institution that has catered to
students who had limited access in the west of Viti Levu”.
During the University’s graduation ceremony on December
16, the outstanding student in Bachelor of Medical and Health
Science and the gold medal winner in the same discipline,
Alexander Wise, proudly shared the memories and experiences
on behalf of his fellow students in his vote thanks address.
“Today is a unique day for all of us, a day that we have
being waiting for to reap the benefit of our hard work and to
the graduates also an end to hours of relentless studies.
“My appreciation to the University for providing us and
the greater community of Fiji the opportunity to advance our
education in various disciplines.
“Unifiji’s ability to design and provide higher quality
meaningful and affordable education will indeed make a
statement in our respective fields of work.”
Wise added that many of UniFiji’s graduates have gone out
to serve in distinguished careers both locally and abroad.
“We are proud that this esteemed university has served the
needs of Fiji’s labor force in providing high quality graduates
with not only post graduate certificates but Masters and PHD
Degrees.
“Being a student here it is natural for one to develop an
abundance of skills and I for one feel that I have become
better equipped.
“I felt growth in confidence in dealing with current societal
and technological challenges. I have learnt not to only work
harder but also work smarter.”
Meanwhile, UniFiji’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Shaista
Shameem stressed that they teach their students how to make
a success of life in all types of employment including self-
employment.
“Our Strategic Plan 2022-2026 emphasizes both resilience
and renaissance.
“Resilience we show in the face of hard times and we move
to renaissance to see these hard times as an opportunity for
re-generation revival and re-birth of people, place and planet.
“This strategy of resilience and renaissance together
represents the University of Fiji’s educational Design for
Life”.
Unifiji’s December graduation gold medal recipient Alexander
Wise being honoured by university Chancellor Ratu Epeli
Nailatikau. Photo: Sanjay Goundar

CITY STAR - THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FROM LAUTOKA

4 LAUTOKA CITY COUNCIL NEWS DECEMBER, 2022

Clean school a culture for Shri Sathya Sai

Rural Category overall winners Shri Sathya Sai Primary School with LCC Head of Services Lautoka Arya Samaj Primary School Head Teacher Arvin Deo (2nd from left) receiving the
Deepak Lal (2nd from left) and Manager Health Services Rouhit Singh (1st right). Urban Category overall winner’s trophy from LCC Head of Services Deepak Lal
Photos: Sanjay Goundar
Zareena Bi our best. Dutt shared that the only new initiative they have added this
“We have put our hearts into this and that’s why we are year in their effort is a fishpond and stressed that it is very
Being declared the overall winner in the rural category of winning whether it is scouts or clean schools.” important to be part of the process for the students and the
the clean school competition organized by the Lautoka City The head teacher added that they do not participate just for community.
Council has come as no surprise to the Shri Sathya Sai Primary the sake of participating and that has resulted in them winning “We have only one mother earth and if we do not create the
School. all three categories in the rural schools competition. awareness now then it will be very hard to leave a good earth
According to Ravindra Dutt, the Head Teacher of the Johnson He further informed that they do not have an environment for the future generations.
Road based school; they were expecting this as clean school is committee as such but the teachers have their three respective “So it is important that we keep our Fiji clean as day by day
the culture of their school now. areas to look after and that is, composting, recycling and the rubbish is increasing around us and if we do not reduce that
“Even during the lockdown we continued to practice awareness. then we will have a lot of problems in future.
composting and recycling. Meanwhile, the school has a roll of 125 and they have been “That is why we have ensured that for our school it is a
“It is not challenging for us to maintain our practice as our overall winners of the Rural Category Of clean schools since natural process so the students can go home and continue with
teachers are very corporative and whatever we do we try to do 2017. the process of cleanliness.”

CITY STAR - THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FROM LAUTOKA

DECEMBER, 2022 LAUTOKA CITY COUNCIL NEWS 5

Proper waste management vital

Zareena Bi

“The increasing amount of waste

generated if not managed properly now
has the potential to cause negative impacts
on the fragile environment, including vital
natural ecosystems like marine life, water
and underground water reservoirs, severely
placing enormous constraints on these existing
limited resources”.
This was the message shared by the Head of
Services Lautoka City Council (LCC) Deepak
Lal during the awards functions for Lautoka
clean schools competition organized by LCC
on December 2 at the Sugar Cane Growers
Council Hall.
“Clean Schools Program is an investment
into the life’s of our children. They are an
important agent of change and with the right
guidance, we all hope that the ideas that we
instilled into their life’s out of this program
will be replicated in their families, their
communities and hopefully as they grow
to be leaders, they will forever champion
environment cleanliness.
“In more developed countries like Australia,
New Zealand, Japan, United Sates and Europe,
history has shown that the cleanliness of their
environment today is a result of investment Winners and participants of the 2022 Lautoka Clean Schools Competition with officials from the Lautoka City Council. Photo: Sanjay Goundar
in environment awareness done some 30 – 40
years ago. communities”. Lal added that due to our exemplified by Lautoka City Council and waste management problem that is an issue of
“The program recognizes an important geographical isolation and relatively small Ministry of Education, culminating in this concern for all of us globally.”
initiative and intervention in the life’s of our recycling market, it becomes very difficult to annual event today. Meanwhile in the urban category of the
children and the successes that have been recycle waste in Fiji. “I must also commend the Japanese Lautoka clean schools competition Lautoka
achieved to date, I understand that the scope He also stressed that finding suitable landfill International Cooperation Agency [JICA] Arya Samaj Primary School won in all the
of the clean school’s program was expanded sites is quite difficult whilst management of for initiating, implementing and supporting three categories and also won the overall
to 31 schools in both rural and urban. This is existing disposal sites is becoming a challenge this noble initiative for the last three years to title while Lautoka Andhra Primary were the
indicative of the commitment and willingness and financial burden. address environment consciousness at grass runner up. The rural schools category was
of all stakeholders to replicate the good “In this regard I must congratulate the root level.“I am positive that in partnership won by Shri Sathya Sai Primary School while
environmental practices to our children and tireless efforts and wonderful collaboration and with our united effort, we can all address Drasa Primary School was the runner up.

CITY STAR - THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FROM LAUTOKA

6 NEWS DECEMBER, 2022

EDITORIAL COMMENT Activism against gender based violence

No majority in 2022 Election
The nearly forgotten Social Democratic Liberal Party
(SODELPA) have turned out to be Kings at the end of
the 2022 General Election.
Amidst all the internal bickering and rough patches
the party endured in the lead up to the General Elec-
tion, SODELPA were given a life line, a final say to
decide who will form the next government after at-
taining a 5.14% threshold.
Ruling party Fiji First and People’s Alliance Party
failed to reach the 51% threshold needed to form a
government on their own.
It meant ruling party Fiji First nor People’s Alliance
Party failed to acquire the magic number 28, which is
the required 28 seats to form a government on their
own at the end of the official counting period.
Fiji First accumulated 200, 246 votes (42.55%)
while PAP had 168, 581 for a 35.82%. PAP’s coa-
lition partner National Federation Party ended with
41, 830 votes (8.89%) and Social Democratic Liberal
Party (SODELPA) just scrapped through to attain a
5.14% threshold from 24,172 votes while the other Soroptimist International Lautoka Club members in front of their purple bench project at the Lautoka Bus Station promoting
remaining parties did not make the 5% threshold. national domestic violence and child protection toll free helpline numbers as part of their 16 days of activism program against
As per the above final results, Fiji First have man- gender violence. Photo: Sanjay Goundar
aged26seats, PAP raked in 21 seats, NFP have 5 and
SODELPA secured 3 seats. Zareena Bi The club members decided to paint the benches purple at the
Negotiations between the concerned parties began Lautoka bus station and display the national domestic violence
immediately with Fiji First and PAP holding several In a shocking trend, statistics revealed by the Fiji Women’s toll free helpline number 1560 and the National child helpline
talks with SODELPA. Crisis Centre shows that 3,313 cases of domestic violence toll free number 19325 on the benches.
It is understood SODELPA have come up with some related cases have been recorded in the first 5 months of the According SI Lautoka Secretary Kiran Lata the club has
year which is an increase of about 6% compared to the same collaborated with Lautoka City Council in this project.
non-negotiable issues that they feel is paramount in
period last year. “For the past three years we are taking advantage of these
taking Fiji forward. 16 Days to do our purple bench projects in central locations.
Also, according to a United Nations report Violence Against
So the SODELPA party as a whole have their tails up Women and Girls remains the most widespread and pervasive The purple bench project pays homage to the lives lost through
and they will do the talking and negotiations in deter- human rights violation worldwide affecting more than an domestic violence.
mining who will form the next government. estimated one in three women, a figure that has remained “In 2020 we did our purple bench project at marine drive, in
Is the outcome and final result of the 2022 General largely unchanged over the last decade. In addition, the most 2021 we continued this effort at Lautoka Andhra primary and
Election good for the country moving foward? recent global estimates show that, on average, a woman or girl this year our target is the Lautoka bus station.
Well it has given the parties an opportunity to work is killed by someone in her own family every 11 minutes. “We try to target places where we can achieve that maximum
together and strive in unity in determining the future In view of these concerning data and trends, the Lautoka awareness and we are happy that Lautoka City Council allowed
of the country. based NGO Soroptimist International Lautoka club decided to us to carry out the project at the bus station since this is the
utilize this year’s 16 Days of Activism against gender based busiest place that is used by the general public for transport
The citizens of this country have done their talking
violence from November 25 to December 10 in highlighting purposes.
through their individual votes and now lets hope cool “We hope this project will be of great assistance to people of
the assistance available for victims through their purple bench
heads prevail and a better solution is reached. project. Lautoka as the message on the benches will be year around and
Whatever the outcome lets hope our beautiful coun- not only confined to the 16 days of activism”.
try will continue to sail in calm waters as it has en-
dured in the past decade or so.
Let glory be with God and its people.
Holistic development paves way for Chaudhary
The City Star Newspaper team wishes all its read-
Sanjay Goundar
ers and advertisers a Merry Christmas and a safe and
meaningful 2023. Her involvement in almost
all school activities apart
Maika Kasami from academic finally paid
Editor. dividends for young Disha
Aahana Chaudhary.
The Year 8 student of
Lautoka Central Primary
stood tall amongst all other
Team CITY STAR contact Information: award recipients at the schools
recent awards night after
Publisher: Sanjay Goundar being rewarded with the Most
Outstanding Student prize.
Phone : (679) 996 0129 / 7844836 She informed that her
Email: sanjaygoundar@gmail.com determination, hard work
and perseverance saw her
achieve this award as well
Editor: Maika Kasami as her ability to balance her
Phone: (679) 918 9779 / 741 5752 academic and extracurricular
activities to achieve her goals.
Email: m2kaaz@gmail.com / Disha represented the
citystarnews15@gmail.com school in soccer and rugby Lautoka Central Primary Schools Most Outstanding Student for 2022 Disha Aahana
and was one of the two female Chaudhary (2nd from left) with her proud parents Anald and Saleshni and elder sister Nidhi.
students who represented the
Marketing Manager : Zareena Bi school in Scouts at the annual and sister, who also received “She also got the Lautoka at Natabua High School
Scouts Rally this year. this accolade in 2019. I have Central School’s Most from next year.
Phone (679) 932 2621 the most profound respect, and Outstanding Student award She outlines her ultimate
After receiving her spoils an
elated Disha revealed that she from whom I have derived the in 2019 and seeing her ambition of becoming a
strength to challenge myself achievement I was very medical doctor in future.
Office Location: 19 Naviti Street, was incredibly honoured to be
and perform better at each determined to win this award Her hobbies include reading,
receiving such an important
Lautoka prize. stage. as well,” she informed. playing soccer and being out
“Winning this award “My elder sister Nidhi is my Disha who is originally in nature.
would not have been possible biggest inspiration and always from Suva joined Lautoka
Postal : P.O Box 4230, Lautoka motivates me to work hard Central Primary School in
without the encouragement of
Printer: Universal Print my teachers, parents, friends, and to become a better version Year 3 and will now pursue
of myself. her secondary school studies
CITY STAR - THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FROM LAUTOKA
DECEMBER, 2022 NEWS 7

Ayushi scoops top awards at Drasa Avenue

Sanjay Goundar

The annual awards night of Drasa Avenue Primary School

was extraordinary for young Ashey Ayushi this year as she
walked away with both the Dux and Most Outstanding Student
of the Year awards.
An elated Ayushi revealed after being bestowed with the
two most prestigious awards of the school that she feels
overwhelmed and surprised to witness her dream becoming a
reality.
“This is a big thing for me as I was aiming for this recognition
since I entered this school in class 1. When I first saw our senior
students then getting the big trophies I made up my mind of
holding them one day.
“I told my mother at that tender age that I also want those
trophies and she told me that I have to work very hard to
achieve my desire.
“From that day I started paying more attention to my studies
and today I have achieved my aim.”
Whilst the Dux award was solely judged on her academic
performance taking part in various extra-curricular activities
such as netball, tag rugby, marching, team mathematics
competition and her leadership role as the head girl of the
school resulted in the 14-year-old lass from Kashmir, Lautoka
winning the Most Outstanding Student of the Year award.
However, achieving these milestones in the primary
education was not an easy task for Ayushi as balancing her Top achiever of Drasa Avenue Primary School Ashey Ayushi with officials from the Ministry of Education, school head Sanjeeta
studies with her leadership role was a major challenge. Kumar (1st from right) and her family members. Photo: Sanjay Goundar
“As the head girl I had a lot of responsibilities while at the hours of the morning while my father provided me with all the “We all are very proud of her and pray that whatever her
same time I was not prepared to undermine my studies under comfort I needed. future dreams are she is able to fulfil it.
any cost. “My grandmother Padma Wati is my biggest inspiration as “Just a advice to all the parents please do take out quality time
“With the assistance of my teachers and parents I prepared a despite facing so many medical challenges she keeps inspiring for your children. If they can’t excel academically there are
time table for the whole year to balance my studies with other me to achieve better.” other means and ways to shape their future,” she emphasized.
school activities. Her mother Premila Mani revealed that her daughter’s Meanwhile, Ayushi is the youngest of three siblings in the
“To get the Dux award I had to make a lot of sacrifices such achievement is a very proud moment for the entire family. family and has two elder brothers She will start her secondary
as spending less time with my friends, sleeping less as I used Mrs Mani informed that Ayushi is a great asset and a blessing education journey from Natabua High School next year and
to study for long hours as well as cutting down on most of my for her family. aims to ultimately pursue a career in medical field to serve the
leisure activities. “In Year 6 she was facing difficulty in balancing with her country. On her departing note she has advised all younger
“I had a big support from my teachers and especially from work but I advised her not to lose hope and today she has been colleagues of Drasa Avenue to work hard and be determined to
my parents. My mom used to wake up with me in the early rewarded for her dedication and hard work. achieve their goals and never lose hope.

CITY STAR - THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FROM LAUTOKA

8 NEWS DECEMBER, 2022

Always dream big awardees advised

Sanjay Goundar
Awardees at the annual awards day of
Lautoka Central College were advised to
always dream big to succeed in life.
Speaking at the program held at Girmit
Centre on December 9 chief guest Deputy
Commissioner of Police Itendra Nair quoted
one of the greatest sayings of former President
of India A.P.J Abdul Kalam “Dream is not that
which you see while sleeping. It is something
which does not let you sleep”.
DCP Nair stressed that dream should be
something which never lets you sleep because
you are so much preoccupied and your focus
is so much towards achieving something that
you are not sleeping.
He further reminded the award recipients to
always wait for their time and avoid making
hasty decisions without achieving their dream.
“You have to wait for that particular time
in your life which is Gods time. A time will
come in your life to become mother and father,
it will happen but don’t become mothers and
fathers prematurely.
“Life is very beautiful, you should be able
to enjoy your life and wait for the right time to
become parents.
“First complete your high school, enter the
university, get a good job and later on progress
into becoming mothers and fathers.
“Life whilst being wonderful is also full of
challenges but don’t succumb to failures.
“There will be failures in life and those are
the failures that you will learn from and keep
on moving forward in life. “
He stressed that in the equation of life
parents, teachers plus students have to do their
bit to bring about success.
DCP Nair also urged the teachers to
innovate better ways and means to look after
the children to maintain their motivations high
whilst taking away the corporal punishment
bit.
He further applauded the efforts of all
parents as the first teachers of their children
in looking after them and supporting them
with whatever mere income they might have
at times.
Meanwhile, Year 13 pupil of the college
Ruth Wang who scored the highest mark for
the school in last year’s Fiji Year 12 external 2022 Dux of Central College Lautoka Ruth Wang (middle) with Deputy Commissioner of Fiji
examination was bestowed with the most Itendra Nair and School Principal Amant Lal. Photos: Sanjay Goundar
prestigious Dux award.

Second chances are possible – Jasper Dux

Zareena Bi

It is possible to take second chances to reach your goals.

This is the classic example set by the 19-year-old lass from
Ba, Ruci Matakarawa, who was bestowed the pinnacle dux
award for Jasper Williams High school this year.
During the awards ceremony on December 2, the high
achiever informed that she had completed her year 13
previously at Xavier College in Ba but decided to repeat year
13 at Jasper High this year to achieve better marks.
“My year 13 marks in 2021 was 309 out of 400 so I repeated
year 13 this year because I want better marks for my University
studies.
“I want to do MBBS and I am very focused as I need to
gain very good marks in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and
Physics.
“I have managed to attain 352 marks out of 400 in my annual
exams this year so I know that I am very close to my goals.
The Dux informed that her parents are her inspiration as they
work in the medical field and while growing up she has had a
lot of exposure to the medical field.
She added that she has three other siblings and being the
eldest she need to set a bar for them to look up to as a mentor.
She added that coming to Jasper High this year has been a
new experience as this was her first time at an all-girls school.
“The experience has been great as teachers here are very good
and they give individual attention to students which shows that
they really care about us.
“The students have also been very supportive and accepted
me from day one, making me feel very welcome.
“Apart from studies I was also part of the school hockey team
this year and we went to play in a tournament in Levuka in
week 12 of term two where we unfortunately lost in the finals.”
Meanwhile, Matakarawa informed that her hobbies include Proud Jasper Williams High School Dux Ruci Matakarawa with the school Principal Vanita Kumar (right) and her mother.
reading, listening to music and interacting with people.

CITY STAR - THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FROM LAUTOKA

DECEMBER , 2022 NEWS 9

Reading and discipline key to self-reliance

Zareena Bi

“In the Chinese culture, there is a popular

saying, which encourages one to be self-reliant
and cultivate itself by reading and discipline
when it is poor and when it grows strong, it
should shoulder more responsibilities to make
the country and the world better.”
These sentiments was shared by the Consul
for Overseas Chinese Affairs from the
Embassy of the People’s Republic of China
in Fiji, Guo Minghui, who officiated during
the annual prize giving ceremony at Lautoka
Zhong Hua School on December 7.
The chief guest added that the China-Fiji
relationship is a comprehensive strategic
partnership, which means the future
cooperation between our two countries will
grow wider and deeper.
“The Chinese government have always
attached great importance to support overseas
diaspora, therefore I can ensure you that Zohn
Hua school will continue to receive strong
support from the Chinese Embassy in future.
“Founded by the Chinese community in
1930, Lautoka Zhong Hua School is the most
historical Chinese school in Fiji and with the
support of successive members of the school
board and the hard work of the school’s
teaching staff, it has become a famous school
in Fiji.
“This year we are glad to see Miss Qiu Dan Lautoka Zhong Hua School Dux Suhani Singh (middle), Student of the Year Low Bing Fan and Head of School award winner Chhavi Kumar
come to resume Chinese classes after more after receiving their individual awards with the guests and head teacher Dina Mani Mudaliar. Photo: Sanjay Goundar
than two years of the Covid 19 circumstances.”
“I usually studied late in the night and woke year and my ambition is to become an Aircraft study hard and do not spend too much time on
The Dux of Lautoka Zhong Hua, 13-year-
up early to study again while receiving a lot Engineer. “It was challenging to be the Head social media.”
old Suhani Singh was happy about receiving
of encouragement from my teacher and my Girl of the school and tackle my studies with Meanwhile, the student of the year of Zhong
the award and felt that she deserved it after all
parents. “I have enrolled at Natabua High my leadership role but I have been successful Hua was awarded to the school Head Boy,
the hard work and the time she devoted to her
school to start my year 9 studies from next so my advice to students is to Low Bing Feng, while the Head of School
studies.
award was presented to Chhavi Kumar.

Use time wisely - Gandhi Bhawan Dux

Gandhi Bhawani Primary School 2022 Dux Eneriko Turaga (3rd from right) after receiving his
awards. Photo: Sanjay Goundar
Zareena Bi
“Use your time wisely and listen to your
elders about school work”.
This was the advice offered by Eneriko
Turaga, the 13-year-old Head Boy of Gandhi
Bhawan Primary school in Lautoka after
receiving highest recognition at primary
school level, which is the Dux award.
Turaga, who hails from Kashmir Lautoka
informed that he joined Gandhi Bhawan
Primary in year three as his early years of
Primary school, was at Motoriki District
School in Levuka.
“I am so happy that I have managed
something so big because of my hard work.
“I managed to top five subjects in the year
eight annual exams; Mathematics, Vernacular
and the three Science subjects.
“I have enrolled for High school at Natabua
High and it is my dream to become a surgical
doctor.”
The Dux shared that his father is a police
officer while his mother does domestic duties
and being the eldest of four siblings, he is
trying his best to set a very good example for
his other siblings.
“We have to think about the future and what
the future hold for you.
“This is why I was very particular about
listening to my teachers and revising every
day.”
Meanwhile, the guest at the annual awards
function, the Managing Director of Office
Supplies and Rentals Abinesh Dass highlighted
that this is indeed a much-anticipated event of
any school year and brings back memories for
most parents, to their own school days.
Dass congratulated all the year eight students
on their milestone achievement as it reflected
their hard work and dedication throughout the
year.
“You have made your Parents, Teachers and
school proud; we salute you and I wish you the
very best in your future as you transition into
high school next year.
“To those students who are yet to get any
award, don’t be discouraged, keep trying and
don’t lose sight of your dreams.
“I leave the students with a simple reminder
‘Education is the key to success’, so never
give up.

CITY STAR - THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FROM LAUTOKA

10
Sawan leaves trade job for farming
Merry Christmas and warm wishes from the staff of Airavata Agriculture who promotes East West Seeds in the country.
Photo: Supplied.
Sumeet Sawan once enjoyed his personal trade job as an
Aircondition and Refrigeration technician.
However, for the Vitogo, Vatulaulau Road resident his
ambition changed after surfing through the internet and
social media.
He came across the East West Seeds page from KK’s
Hardware.
“This is my first year buying East West Seeds from KK’s
Hardware. I’ve done Sugar Cane farming before but my
personal trade job is aircon and refrigeration technician. I
left the job because I wanted to do farming.
“The first time I planted East West Seeds the outcome
was very good. I found out about the seeds in social media.
I saw videos and got the knowledge from other farmers
CITY STAR - THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FROM LAUTOKA
AGRICULTURAL FEATURE
and started farming.”
Sumeet Sawan is a first time East West Seeds farmer and
he hopes to grow with East WestSeeds.
Meanwhile, Manitawa Ba farmer Mobeen Khan is a
veteran and has been a farmer for the last 45 years.
He has been through thick and thin and has used all other
varities before he came across East West Seeds.
“I must tell you there is something different about East
West Seeds. I’ve used all other varieties of seeds but I’m
impressed with this seeds by KK’s Hardware and its a
good variety seed.”
Khan now knows the value that quality seeds plays in
farming business and livelihood.
DECEMBER, 2022
Kumar the ‘Farmers
Choice’
Binay Kumar of Ba feels proud to help farmers by
selling East West Seeds products from his shop in Main
Street, Ba Town.
Kumar the Farmers Choice which is located in Main
Street, Ba Town has joined hands with Seeds Company
of Fiji in selling their products.
Shop owner Binay Kumar said they have a good col-
lection of East West Seeds in stock now and has urged
on the farmers in Ba, Tavua and Rakiraki to pay a visit
or place orders with them.
“We are making it easier for farmers in these areas as
they don’t have to go to Nadi to buy seeds. They can buy
seeds from Ba which will be more convenient for them,
“Kumar said.
“I have all the varieties here and the prices are the
same as they offer at KK’s Hardware in Nadi.”
Kumar further clarified that East West Seeds is the
best as it matches the illustration given on the packets.
“I can testify that whatever illustration you see on the
packet is actually what you get when you harvest. The
germination is good and the price is reasonable and we
can help you in getting the varieties you need for your
farm,” he added.
Kumar can be contacted on 846 3828 and 924 7158.
DECEMBER, 2022 INTERNATIONAL NEWS 11

Forecasts show India may become World’s Third

Largest Economy by 2030
NEW DELHI — India’s economy is post-
ing the fastest growth among major economies
putting it on track to become the world’s third
largest before the end of the decade, according
to financial forecasts.
As companies record strong growth and
hand out pay hikes, there is a wave of opti-
mism among professionals.
“There are good projections for the Indian
economy. Plus, even in our friends’ circle, a lot
of people are changing jobs, moving to better
pastures. For us also, my wife, has switched
recently to a new job,” said Jaideep Manchan-
da, a marketing professional in New Delhi
who recently bought a new car.
Consumers like Manchanda and his wife,
Tanya Tandon, are driving domestic demand
as India emerges strongly from the COVID-19
pandemic — the automobile industry for ex-
ample recorded its highest-ever sales in No-
vember. New investment is flowing into the
country, helping it withstand the trend of slow-
ing growth in most countries.
India is expected to grow by nearly 7% this
year despite the economic turbulence created
by Russia’s war in Ukraine. That momen-
tum is likely to continue, helping it overtake
Japan and Germany to become the world’s
third-largest economy, according to a recent
forecast by New York-based investment firm
Morgan Stanley and S&P Global.
The International Monetary Fund projects The world’s largest democracy India is preparing well to become the world’s 3rd fastest growing economy by 2030. Photo: Supplied
India to reach that position by 2028. The Unit-
ed States and China are the world’s biggest However, that is not dampening optimism. “The United States is pursuing an approach Mukhopadhyay. “That is why a lot of glob-
economies. “Even if the economy grows consistently at called friend-shoring to diversify away from al investment, direct investment and a lot of
The World Bank’s latest report on the Indian around five and a half or 6% will be remark- countries that present geopolitical and security global financial capital are now betting on In-
economy released in December also said that able,” according to Abhijit Mukhopadhyay, risks to our supply chain. To do so we are pro- dia.”
India is relatively well positioned to weath- an economist at the Observer Research Foun- actively deepening economic integration with Modi’s government is making efforts to lure
er global headwinds compared to most other dation in New Delhi. “A lot of changes are trusted trading partners like India,” Yellen said companies by offering incentives for produc-
emerging markets. happening across the world, and we hope that addressing technology leaders at a Microsoft ing in India and investing billions of dollars in
“India’s economy has been remarkably re- some of them will be beneficial for the Indian facility. improving the country’s creaky infrastructure
silient to the deteriorating external environ- economy.” Analysts say that many companies are look- that has long deterred investors.
ment,” Auguste Tano Kouame, World Bank’s New opportunities are opening for India as ing at India as they consider adding produc- The mood is upbeat among Indian profes-
country director, said releasing the report trade and geopolitical tensions between China tion capacity in a second nation besides China. sionals, who often looked overseas for career
“Navigating the Storm” earlier this month. and the United States deepen, analysists say. The U.S.-based tech company Apple is ex- opportunities. Now many feel they are better
India’s economy is relatively insulated For decades, global investors flocked to Chi- pected to move some iPhone manufacturing to off at home, especially after the tens of thou-
partly because it has a large domestic market na to set up factories while India’s manufac- India and scale it up over the next three years. sands of layoffs by leading technology com-
and is relatively less exposed to international turing sector lagged, holding back the econo- Taiwanese electronic company Foxconn and panies in the United States that have impacted
trade, according to the World Bank. my. Efforts by Prime Minister Narendra Modi local conglomerate Vedanta have announced many Indians.
Growth is expected to dip in the coming year to promote a “Make in India” campaign since a $19.5 billion investment to make semicon- “India has great potential across the sectors,
as, like many other countries, India grapples he took office eight years ago had met with a ductors in the western Indian state of Gujarat. across geographies, and across small and big-
with inflation following a surge in global food tepid response, but that could be changing. “Now, after China, India is probably be- ger cities,” said Tanya Tandon, a marketing
and fuel prices. A potential global recession On a visit to New Delhi last month United ing seen as the next place where growth will professional.
also poses a risk to its economic momentum. States Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen spoke come. This is the expectation, and the initial
of building closer economic ties with India. signs are already there,” points out economist

Apple plans to move production outside of China

TAIPEI — The Wall Street Journal reports U.S. smart-
phone giant Apple Inc. is accelerating plans to move some
China-based production lines to other southeastern Asian
countries such as India and Vietnam.
That, analysts said, would represent a significant shift in
the so-called de-Sinification of global supply chains after
manufacturers become aware of risks of concentrating pro-
duction in China.
China’s zero-COVID policy, which paralyzed some of its
supply chains, and its deteriorating business environment
would be the major trigger behind the shift, they added.
India: the world’s next factory?
“China’s anti-virus measures have forced many multina-
tionals, including Apple, to hedge against the risk of disrupt-
ed supply chains. Though China is set to ease COVID re-
strictions, uncertainty remains because these multinationals
have had experienced much sudden change of policy there
– reasons behind Apple’s accelerated relocation of its pro-
duction lines outward,” Darson Chiu, a research fellow of the
economic forecasting center under the Institute of Economic
Research (TIER) in Taipei, told VOA over the phone.
He said that many companies, including Apple, have seen
the potential in India in competing with China to be “the
world’s next factory,” adding that cost of labor and land is
“at one-fifth of the level in China.”
“This highlights an evolving trend, where many compa-
nies, not just Apple, are concerned about the environment in
China, and not just because of COVID. When we look at theft
of intellectual property, that’s of technology, cyber-attacks on
companies inside China, the onerous restrictions that apply
from Chinese government to data flows, there are a number
of factors that are making China a much less attractive envi-
ronment for manufacturers to be,” Stephen Ezell, director of
global innovation policy at the Information Technology and
Innovation Foundation (ITIF) in Washington told VOA by
video.
“And I think it’s possible that Apple represents the tip of
the spear for a much greater share of global high-tech pro-
duction moving outside of China,” he added.
A domino effect?
Ezell said more multinationals might follow suit if Apple
succeeds in shipping products from India, as it had produced
a small percentage of iPhone 14s there.
Citing people involved in the discussion, The Wall Street
Journal reported on December 6 that Apple had asked its
suppliers to plan more actively for assembling its products
elsewhere in Asia, “particularly India and Vietnam,” to re-
duce dependence on China-based assemblers, led by Tai-
wan-headquartered Foxconn’s Zhengzhou plant.
Turmoil over anti-virus measures and wage disputes last
month among the plant’s 300,000 workers have made Apple
uncomfortable having so much business tied up in the plant,
which made about 85% of the iPhone’s pro series, according
to the report.
It added that Apple’s long-term goal is to ship 40% to 45%
of iPhones from India, compared with a current single-digit
percentage, citing Ming-chi Kuo, an analyst at TF Interna-
tional Securities in Hong Kong.
When asked by VOA, Foxconn refused to comment. But
the company Thursday announced on its WeChat account
that it has lifted closed-loop Covid restrictions at its Zheng-
zhou plant.
Paul Triolo, senior vice president for China, and technolo-
gy policy lead at Albright Stonebridge Group in Washington,
told VOA that Apple has already done some manufacturing
with Foxconn in India, which plans to add 50,000 workers to
total at 70,000 there over the next two years.
He warned, though, that it will be hard for Foxconn to
duplicate its highly optimized China supply chain in India,
where skilled workers and infrastructure including airports,
ports and high-speed rail, as well as an ecosystem of compo-
nent suppliers at a low cost, are lacking.

CITY STAR - THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FROM LAUTOKA

12 SPORTS DECEMBER, 2022

Morocco creates world cup soccer history

Source: CNN
Morocco made history on Saturday December 10 as the first African team to reach a World
Cup semi-final, defeating Portugal 1-0 to continue its sparkling run in Qatar.
Youssef En-Nesyri scored the game’s only goal, rising highest to head the ball into the net
just minutes before halftime, while Morocco’s defense once again kept a clean sheet.
The Atlas Lions have become one of the stories of the tournament, holding fellow semi-fi-
nalist Croatia to a draw in the group stage, and defeating Belgium, Spain and Portugal on
their way to a semi-final.
“Before it was just the Moroccans who supported us, now it is the Africans and Arabs,”
manager Walid Regragui said before the quarterfinal, referencing the electric atmosphere that
has accompanied his team at every game.
And the Al Thumama Stadium rang with cheers, drums and whistles as if almost an entire
continent and region were inside, witnessing their team make history.
Defeat for Portugal marked the end of what is likely to be Cristiano Ronaldo’s last World
Cup as even he could not make a dent in the Morocco defense and was left in tears walking
down the tunnel after the final whistle.
The Atlas Lions, meanwhile, launched Regragui into the air in their now trademark victory
celebration.

Ba FC ends losing streak

Maika Kasami

Ba Football had the last laugh of the season

winning its first-ever Pacific Community Cup
title at the end of November at Prince Charles
Park.
This also ended the teams losing streak in
tournament’s in the domestic competition.
The Men in Black edged Nadi FC 1-0 in the
final to pocket $10,000 plus the PCC trophy.
Nabeel Begg was the toast for the side scor-
ing the winner in the first half of the 60-min-
utes game.
The Fiji Under 20 rep who was also the star
for the age group side in the Oceania qualifi-
ers was the most impressive player at the PCC
grabbing the golden boot award.
Coached by Roneel Kumar, the Ba side
bounced back from its first up defeat to Nadi
(1-2) in pool play to turn the tables on the host
when it mattered most.
Ba lost most of its key players in the last
transfer window, but this did not deter the side
as they regrouped by reaching the semi-finals
of the Courts IDC in October and then taking
out the PCC title.
Ba’s overseas imports of Argentinean origin
sparked the Ba side in midfield and upfront
and this was the determining factor in their
sudden success. The victorious Ba soccer team after beating Nadi 1-0 in the All in One Cakes and Restaurant Pacific Community Cup final at Prince Charles
It is understood the trio could well be part of Park. Photo: Fiji Live.
the Ba FC side in the new season.

Fiji 7s fails in Dubai, Cape Town

Maika Kasami

The Fiji Airways Fiji 7s team looked a shadow side from

its Hong Kong 7s final loss as they now find themselves fifth
on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series following the Dubai
and Cape Town 7s.
After ending a 17-year drought by winning the Rugby World
Cup 7s title, the Fijian Men’s team reached the final in HK but
failed to fire in the next two stops in the series.
At the deserts in Dubai, the national side failed to qualify
from its pool by point’s differential as New Zealand and Ar-
gentina marched on.
The Waisea Nacuqu captained side accumulated 8points and
ended on fifth spot on the HSBC World Sevens Series stand-
ings.
A week later in Cape Town, there was some optimism Fiji
would bounce back on the very ground they had hoisted the
Rugby World Cup 7s title in September.
Fiji went down to South Africa in pool play but still pro-
gressed ahead of France and Canada to feature in the Cup quar-
terfinals. Fiji Airways Fiji 7s team captain Waisea Nacuqu on his way to the try-line during one of the earlier matches in the HSBC
The Ben Gollings coached side recorded its second loss 7-17 World Sevens Series. Photo: Supplied.
to USA and went on to finish fifth in the tournament and also
retained its fifth spot on the standings. them.”
Meanwhile, after three days of HSBC World Rugby Sevens Samoa and South Africa on 47 points now lead the standings coach Cory Sweeney said: “It is awesome, it is hard to put into
Series action in Cape Town, Samoa’s men and New Zealand’s after three events heading into 2023, USA and New Zealand words. “This group stood up and to do what they did in a final
women ended the event - and 2022 - in style. next on 44 points. was awesome.
Samoa’s men put in a brilliant performance to defeat New Tyla Nathan-Wong was the catalyst for New Zealand as they “I am really proud of everyone in the group, this is a special
Zealand 12-7 in a closely fought Cup final to claim their first won the women’s event. day.”
Series title since Paris in 2016. Australia had beaten them in the Dubai Cup final the week Nathan-Wong was the HSBC Player of the Final and she
HSBC Player of the Final Vaa Apelu Maliko said: “We’d before, but in this week’s final New Zealand dominated from added: “It was an epic performance by the team, it was a bit
like to thank our family, friends and all the supporters back early on and came out on top 31-14. of a grind this week, but in the final the players found their
home for helping us get through this event, and this win is for This was New Zealand’s 28th title on the circuit and head self-belief and came out and delivered.”

CITY STAR - THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FROM LAUTOKA

DECEMBER, 2022 SPORTS 13

Baby Blues duo ready for new season

Maika Kasami

Natabua High School students Ghulam Razool and Junior

Dekedeke are keen to showcase their talents once again when
the new football season resumes in 2023.
The pair have had a good season this year with Lautoka re-
sulting in them being selected for the national Under 19 side.
They were part of the national Under 19 team that gained
qualification to the FIFA U20 World Cup to be held in Indone-
sia in 2023.
They were both deservingly acknowledged by the school
with the International Awards during its annual graduation cer-
emony on November 25.
Fiji lost to New Zealand in the final, however, both nations
will represent the Oceania region at the world meet.
It was noted Razool provided with the assist that enabled Ba
youngster Nabeel Begg to score the winner in the semi final
win over New Caledonia.
Dekedeke said it was rather unfortunate they were not part of
the Blues team at the recent Pacific Community Cup in Nadi.
“Our exams were near so we couldn’t make the team. Lauto-
ka fielded a strong team but unfortunately we could not make
the finals,” 19year old Dekedeke said.
He said 2023 will be a busy year for both of them as they will
be touring with the national U20 side.
“Next year we will be touring Malaysia for build-up matches
before heading to Indonesia for the U20 World Cup.”
The pint sized striker said qualifying for the world cup will
be the highlight of their career so far.
“I thank the Almighty for choosing this path for me and Ghu-
lam as it has been a great journey for us. We love representing
our district. We both are grabbing the opportunity as it comes
and we will give it all our best when representing the country Junior Dekedeke and Ghulam Razool with their prizes during the Natabua High School’s graduation ceremony on November
at the world cup.” 25. Photo: Sanjay Goundar.

The rise of the new Shamal

Maika Kasami

Those that followed football during the Year 2000 era, the name Shamal Kumar was synon-
ymous with Labasa.
The well-built lad was a goalkeeper who went on to represent the Labasa district team,
before joining the then Olympian Under 23 side and later donning the national senior team
jumper.
More than a decade later another young player by the same name has emerged. He is a Year
8 student of Lautoka Central Primary School, but he is not a goalkeeper. He scores goals in-
stead of stopping them.
“I’m a striker and I want to be famous like Roy Krishna,” remarked the confident youngster
while picking up his sports award during the school’s graduation ceremony at the Girmit Cen-
tre on December 2.
He’s sports teacher Shaneel Kumar boasts that this young lad could be the next Muni Shi-
vam Naidu, the crafty national and Lautoka district left legged player.
“I’m happy with my award today. My aim is to make my parents proud with whatever I do
in life. Right now my aim is to become a good soccer player, represent the Lautoka district
team and national team. “
Kumar was part of the schools Under 14 team and will soon join Lautoka Central College
in the New Year.
U15 is his next target and he is going all out to achieve his dreams in whatever he under-
takes. Lautoka Central Primary School sports award recipient Shamal Kumar with his spoils during
the school’s prize giving ceremony at the Girmit Centre. Photo: Sanjay Goundar.

Slow start for Roy Krishna

Maika Kasami
Fijian international and Captain Roy Krishna is having a difficult time with Bengaluru FC in
the Hero Indian Super League this season.
Krishna has got just one assist and one goal to his name in the competition so far. He hasn’t
been himself in the Blue for Bengaluru
Even with slightly less game time in Hero ISL 2021-22 compared to his previous two seasons,
Krishna found the net seven times, portraying a high goals-per-game ratio of 0.44.
His 56 goal contributions are second only to Bartholomew Ogbeche and Ferran Corominas in
the league’s history, making him one of the most fearsome strikers to have played in the Hero
ISL.
So when Bengaluru FC signed him ahead of the 2022-23 season, they expected him to be a
readymade solution to their goal scoring woes, which have plagued them in the past few seasons.
However, it hasn’t panned out that way for the Fijian and Bengaluru FC. The striker hasn’t
quite hit the form everyone had seen him achieve in the colours of ATK FC and ATK Mohun
Bagan.
He is averaging 0.17 goals per game compared to his Hero ISL career ratio of 0.56.
However, the Fijian’s troubles aren’t only down to drop in individual form but also due to the
system deployed at Bengaluru FC.
At ATK FC and ATK Mohun Bagan, Krishna was the ultimate finisher and the focal point of
attack. They were players who constantly looked to feed the Fijian, allowing him to activate his
skills in the box to devastating effect.
At Bengaluru FC, the situation is a bit different.
“I don’t think it’s so much down to Roy Krishna but the way Simon Grayson wants them to
play. I think with ATK Mohun Bagan, he was given the license to just solely play there up top
and be that focal point. He had players there that would give him the ball much quicker and
players that understood the system that was in place for him,” Hero ISL expert and commentator
Paul Masefield commented.
“At Bengaluru FC, there is a different type of formation that Simon Grayson plays. It’s more
a 4-4-2 or a 4-3-3. So, he has to adapt, and get involved a little bit more,” he added.

CITY STAR - THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FROM LAUTOKA

14 SPORTS DECEMBER, 2022

Chandra flies in to win Lautoka Golf Open

2022 Lautoka Open Champion Anuresh Prakash (left) and professional category winner Lautoka Golf Club’s junior golfers Jai Shiu Ram (left), Ariz Khan (middle) and Roland Singh
Roneel Prakash (right) with Lautoka Golf Club executive Raymond Singh during the prize during the Shop N Save/IEW Lautoka Open Championship.
presentation. Photos: Maika Kasami.
Maika Kasami
New Zealand based golfer Anuresh Chandra re-wrote history by winning the 91st Shop N
Save/Islands Electric Lautoka Open on November 26 at Lautoka Golf Club.
Chandra, a former amateur champion who holds the record of winning the Ba Open for seven
consecutive times recorded an even par and two shots clear of the current amateur champ Abid
Hussein.
The former fire-man with CAAF (Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji) based at Nadi Airport
arrived into the country without his playing gears and had to borrow them on his way to victory.
Chandra said this was his third Lautoka Open win having also won the tournament back in
2009 and 2012.
He also won the Club Championship title at LGC.
He said it’s never easy to come back to Fiji to win tournaments.
“When you leave Fiji and reside overseas, you always find it tough to train and play golf
because it takes time to settle in a new environment amongst new people and friends. But I
adapted quickly and then gradually found time to playing golf once again.
“So this year I decided to travel to Fiji to play in the Lautoka Open which has a rich history.
The win was sweet for me as the local golfers had the advantage of playing on the course. I must
say I adapted well to the course as well and this worked in my favour,” said Chandra who is now
a member of Weedons Golf Club in Christchurch.
Following this victory, Chandra said he is hoping to win back a spot in the national team.
“I will continue with my training and playing tournaments in NZ and my selection with Team
Fiji will depend on the requirements and the selectors.”
LGC executive Raymond Singh was delighted with Chandra’s victory adding he was a
dedicated golfer and has proven it in the local scene before heading overseas.
“Anuresh has been here and has done it. The 7-times win at the Ba Open is a record that will
be very hard to emulate. He has also won in Vatukoula and other parts of the country so it was
great to see him on the winning podium yet again,” said Singh.
Singh, meanwhile, thanked Shop N Save Supermarket for their generous sponsorship again
this year as more than 80 golfers participated in the tournament that was started way back in
1931.
The professional category was won by resident professional Roneel Prakash who went home
satisfied and richer as he successfully defended his title.

Islands Electric Wholesalers LGC seasons ends on a high

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Omron relays and Timers (AC-DC) NARVA Rotating

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Beacon Light
Resistance Tester

The professionals taking time out to pose with sponsor Raymond Singh (middle) during
the LONGRUN Fiji/ Islands Electric Season Closing Pro-AM Club Championship on
December 11.
Maika Kasami

The 2022 Lautoka Golf Club season ended on a high with the staging of the LONGRUN
PROJECTA Workshop-1200 12A Battery Tesla 4 Way Portable Outlets Fiji/Islands Electric Season Closing Pro-AM Club Championship on December 11.
Charger 6-12-24V HDBC20 with RCBO Protection 10 Amp Bad weather at tee-off failed to dampen the spirit of golfers as close to forty golfers includ-
CABAC Digital RCD Tester
ing six professionals took on the challenge to pit their skills.
240v T2712EL
Praveer Chand was declared the A-grade champion.
Veteran Abdul Jalal claimed the B-grade title while new kid Abdul Naushil settled for the
C-grade title.
The ever improving 12-year old Ariz Khan took home the Juniors title.
Wacker Neuson Amitesh Chandra had the last laugh in the professional’s category edging resident profes-
VP1135A sional Roneel Prakash who settled for second spot.
Vibratory Plate The professionals had battled for $1000 prize money plus bonuses.
LGC trustee Raymond Singh thanked members for their support this year and is looking
ICS Concrete Chainsaw forward to the new season.
FLUKE 376FC True RMS AC-DC “What a finish to conclude our 2022 Club Championship and Season Closing. Thanks to
Clamp Meter with iFlex probe all members for their support this year. I must acknowledge and thank all the sponsors who
contributed to the weekly competitions. Hats off to our president Chung Lee for the strong
leadership,” said Singh.
Fluke 1AC-C2 Non-Contact
Voltage Tester
“And a big congratulations to our own Roneel Prakash for winning the Presidents Cup top
prize at Denarau Golf Club.
BE THE BEST, USE THE BEST “At this juncture, I must wish one and all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year before
Quality, Reliability & Service is our Tradition we start with the Summer Cup,” he concluded.

CITY STAR - THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FROM LAUTOKA

DECEMBER, 2022 SPORTS 15

Tanoa Group ventures into Sports Tourism

Maika Kasami

Sports, more so rugby has promoted Fiji to

the world.
Rugby sevens for mens has brought two
Olympic gold medals to our shores. Even the
womens, Fijiana, surprised many by claiming
bronze in Tokyo.
On the tourism front here in the country, the
world knows us as the one of the best tourist
destinations in the world.
Another feather would be added soon as Fiji
the Sports Tourism hub in the region.
The Tanoa Hotel Group family has ventured
into providing a world class and professional
training facility for touring teams, the Tanoa
Sports Centre.
The ground breaking ceremony for the new
project was done on November 23 at Votua-
levu, Nadi, where the Tanoa International Ho-
tel is situated.
Managing Director of Reddy Group Rohit
Reddy said they were delighted to announce
another milestone event for Tanoa Hotels.
Reddy said the event added another celebra-
tion on their 75years of existence in Fiji.
“The Tanoa Sports Centre is the brainchild
of our Tanoa
management team. They quickly realized
since the border re-opening the number of
sports teams travelling to our shores with very Tourism Fiji CEO Brent Hill (left), Tanoa Group directors Rohit Reddy and Kamni Reddy and Na Marama Na Taukei Naua, Adi Temalesi Varo
little world class and professional training fa- Sovau officiates at the ground breaking ceremony for the new proposed Tanoa Sports Centre. Photo: Sanjay Goundar.
cilities available.
“We believe that our investment into a world international teams.” sustainably.” Chief guest Tourism Fiji CEO Brent Hill
class sports centre will not only benefit Tanoa Reddy further added that their focus with He said with Fiji hosting quite a few home was ecstatic about this new venture and ac
Hotel Group but Fiji as a whole in promoting the Tanoa Sports Centre is a three-fold: games in 2023, the Sports Centre will only fur- knowledged the vision of the Tanoa Group
Fiji as a Sports Tourism Destination focusing “Have the best training facilities in Fiji – fo- ther strengthen hosting events of such caliber. saying once completed it is going to be truly
on international standard training facilities for cusing on the quality of the turf and associated Reddy confirmed they are committing special and one that will open doors for more
our home Sports Teams as well as travelling facilities, the athlete’s health and safety is of around half a million dollars on phase 1 of this touring sports team taking advantage of sand,
paramount importance and doing it project. sunshine and sports.

March 2023 target for Tanoa

Sports Centre

Reddy Group Managing Director Rohit Reddy (left) and Tourism Fiji CEO Brent Hill being
garlanded during the Tanoa Sports Centre ground breaking ceremony.
Weather permitting; the Tanoa Sports Centre should take 16-weeks to be completed.
General Manager Tanoa Hotel Group Narend Kumar said they are looking at March 2023 for
the project to be ready for use.
Located at Votualevu within the vicinity of their Tanoa International Hotel location, Kumar
said they will continue to explore new opportunities to promote Fiji as a preferred tourism des-
tination.
“Our Vision is to be the local hotel chain of choice in Fiji and the Pacific Islands and I am sure
we are on right track. We are very pleased with the immense support from our chairman (YP
Reddy and directors (Rohit And Kamini). The Tanoa Sports Centre will eventually be used for
other sports teams including soccer.
“Our Team at Tanoa is ready to fulfill the requirements and we make it easy for all our tourism
partners to sell destination Nadi to their valued sports groups.
Tanoa Hotels Fiji has 421 rooms of which we have 318 in Nadi / Lautoka. It will be a one stop
shop for visiting Teams ( accommodation/ meals/training field).
We are looking at finishing the ground in 16 weeks, and projecting the field to be ready for use
from 20th March – off course weather permitting.
“The project will incorporate a lot of sustainable segments as well like borehole for the irri-
gation system, solar lights around the boundary of the facility and like our managing director
mentioned the replanting of trees to further enhance the surrounding as we also plan to do walk-
ing tracks alongside the borders,” Kumar concluded.

CITY STAR - THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FROM LAUTOKA

16

Argentina are world champions

DECEMBER, 2022

Maika Kasami and victorious winning 4-2 to send the already

Destiny dedicated it to the small man that he
would lift it.
The script was written. But it came the hard
way.
35 year-old Lionel Messi, the Messiah for
the Argentineans’ had won it in all competi-
tions at club level and international, but only
the World Cup until Qatar 2022.
After a first up loss to Saudi Arabia, Argen-
tina regrouped well to bounce back with vigor
and purpose.
It was to be the best ever final played be-
tween the European champions and champi-
ons of South America.
And it lived up to expectations with four
goals scored in normal time and two more in
extra time.
Argentina led 2-0 at halftime and France
looked dead and buried when they didn’t re-
spond till the 79th minute.
Two quick goals by Kylian Mbappe sent the
game into two added halves of extra time.
The two stars of the game stole the show
again when they both scored in the second half
of extra time for a 3-3 scoreline as the match
headed for the dreaded penalty shootout.
Mbappe and Messi held their nerves to find
the back of the net yet again but it was to be
Messi’s night as Argentina finally stood tall
pumped up fans into a frenzy.
Gonzalo Montiel scored the winning penalty
after sending Lloris the wrong way and imme-
diately broke down in tears.
Messi has followed in the footsteps of iconic
Argentina star Diego Maradona in lifting the
World Cup with his nation.
France looked fatigued when they started
the match and they ended it the same way
during the shootouts.
Mbappe, though failing to become the
youngest player to win back to back world cup
titles at 23, had one up on Messi claiming the
golden boot award with eight goals to 7.
The French man also set a record by scoring
a hattrick in the final and was still on the losing
side.
Messi can finally call himself a world cup
champion in what was probably his final
World Cup match.
It’s Argentina’s third world cup title since
the late Maradona in Mexico 1986 and those
early whispers after the first up loss have been
replaced by tears and cheers.
The star of the show Lionel Messi finally
got his dream fulfilled winning his first FIFA
World Cup title in Qatar. Messi scored twice
in normal play and kicked in a penalty to
guide Argentina to a 4-2 (3-3) in a dreaded
penalty shootout win over France.

Fiji, Samoa France, Kenya in Hamilton

Maika Kasami
The Fiji Airways Fiji 7s men’s
team have been facing torrid battles
from the word go in pool plays and
there will be no exception at the
Hamilton 7s in January.
The national side this time will
have to overcome newly crowned
Cape Town 7s champs Samoa, the
unpredictable France and tricky
customer in Kenya in Pool A at
the New Zealand leg of the HSBC
World Sevens Series.
Fiji have lost one of its three
pool matches in the last two
tournament’s in Dubai and Cape
Town and will need to be at the top
of their game in front of its loyal
fans who are expected to come in
large numbers.
The national side will be hoping
to change its fortunes at the start of
the New Year as they currently lie
fifth on the standings on 40points.
Not much separates the top eight
teams and this promises a thrilling
finish to the 2022/2023 season as
teams vie for that top four spots
to gain automatic qualification to
the next Olympic 7s tournament in
France 2024.
In Hamilton, Fiji are grouped
with Samoa, France and Kenya;
Pool B has host NZ, Great Britain,
Australia and invitational side
Tonga.
Pool C has USA, Uruguay,
Ireland, and Japan while USA
meets Argentina, Spain and Canada
in Pool D.
For the women’s category, our
Fijiana side is pooled with host
New Zealand, Great Britain and
Papua New Guinea.
Pool B has Australia, France,
Canada and Japan while USA leads
Pool C alongside Ireland, Brazil
and Spain.
The Hamilton 7s will be held
from 21-22 January, 2023, followed
by the Sydney 7s a week later.
HSBC standings after Hong
Kong/Dubai/Cape Town: Samoa-
47points, South Africa-47, NZ- 44,
USA- 44, Fiji -40, Australia- 39, The Fiji Airways Fiji 7s team celebrates while winning an earlier Hamilton 7s tournament. The side will be out
France- 38- Argentina- 37, Ireland- to make amends in January 2023 to kick start the New Year on a positive note. Photo: Supplied.
34, Great Britain- 20.

CITY STAR - THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FROM LAUTOKA