The Jet Volume 5 Number 3

MARCH 20 - APRIL 20, 2013. Volume 5, Number 3 www.thejetnewspaper.
com PRICE: 50 CENTS VIP

Its here
First of our three Airbus aircraft arrives home to a colourful welcome
Fijis very own brand-new
A330-200 Airbus was greeted by
thousands of people who stood
still to witness it land at the Nadi
International Airport for the rst
time with the complete Fijian masi
design.
The new aircraft is a major
component of the $1 billion reform
planned by the Air Pacic (soon
to be Fiji Airways) and is the rst
plane ever designed and built from
the ground up to expressly repre-
sent Fiji and the Fijian people.
Prior to touching down at the
Nadi International Airport and
straight into the Air Pacic Hangar,
By JOSEPHINE NAVULA the aircraft circumnavigated the
entire country ying at low altitude
so that many Fijians could catch a
glimpse of it.
Outgoing Air Pacic managing
director and chief executive of-
cer, Dave Pieger said arrival of
the new aircraft is another mile-
stone achievement for Fiji.
Our new white bodied and re-
branded image also represents the
three years of incredibly hard work
by every single member of Air pa-
cic.
It resulted in winning world
class awards for customer service
and it also strengthens our global
position. So what I would expect
is another 61 years of success and
service to Fiji and its people, he
said.
Pieger said the new airline also
shows a true identity of Fiji and its
people.
In over thirty-years, it has
proudly proclaimed who we are,
where we are from and who we
represent, he said.
Pieger also mentioned the new
Fiji Airways will continue doing
the hard work they have done for
the country.
A strong national airline also
means support and assistance to
Fiji in good times and in bad.
Something we saw last year and
yet again this year, when Air Pacif-
ic was the only plane ying during
the four days of ood and the only
airline which immediately resumed
after the Cyclone Evan in the na-
tion.
With an impressive 20 per cent
more cargo capacity than our old
767 and more frequent ights to
cities overseas, our farmers, our
sheries and our other exporters,
will all benet from better ship-
ping schedules and more timely
delivery of products to the market
place, he said.
President His Excellency Ratu
Epeli Nailatikau said despite the
10-hour ight from Hong Kong, it
was a special moment especially as
the aircraft ew over the islands.
Through Air Pacic and a host
of both local and international
partners, Fiji now owns a wide-
bodied aircraft for the rst time
since our national airline took to
the sky more than sixty years ago,
he said.
53-year-old senior pilot, Cap-
tain Jone Turaganivalu, originally
from Namuka in Macuata, said the
arrival of the new aircraft is also a
special event for them.
I have been a pilot for Air
Pacic for 24 years, and we have
never done this before and it is a
very emotional part because we
are bringing home one of our very
own, he said.
MORE COVERAGE ON
PAGES 21-24
The entire nation came to a stand-still with the
arrival of the new A330 Airbus. Women with
colourful attire and ags seen greeting the aircraft
outside the Air Pacic hangar on Tuesday, March
19. Photo: MUNAUWAR KHAN.
www.thejetnewspaper.com Newsroom 5164 Vodafone / Inkk
THE JET - FIJIS FIRST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER 2
FROM THE DESK
ON THE BRIGHT SIDE
Fiji - the way the world should be
Being the hub of the Pacic, Fiji has everything that a spectacular tropical paradise
has to offer - from private island resort accommodations, top class restaurants to
white sandy beaches, inbound tours, jet boat rides, hot air balloon rides, mountain
trekking, inland tours, eco tourism, sky diving, helicopter rides, cruise trips, scuba
diving, massage and beauty parlours, vibrant night life and a lot more than any other
destination in the world offers
THE JET is Fijis rst community newspaper published monthly by
SHAMBU ADVERTISING from Nadi - the tourism capital of Fiji.
PUBLISHER : SHALENDRA PRASAD Cell: 9232073
EDITOR : JOSEPHINE NAVULA Cell: 7307574
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LAYOUT BY SHALENDRA PRASAD & MUNAUWAR KHAN
COMMUNITY NOTICE BOARD
EMPOWER PACIFIC
(Formerly PCSS) provides
private, condential counsel-
ling on depression,
family/marital, stress, grief,
abuse, suicidal thoughts,
STIs, drugs, alcohol & be-
havior lifestyle changes.
Opens 8am 3pm, Monday
Friday.
Call us on 6708169 Located
at Nadi old hospital road.
ROTARY CLUB OF NADI
is on a membership drive to
increase members who repre-
sent all sections of the com-
munity. Nadi Rotarians meet
every Wednesday at Sitar
Restaurant in Martintar at
6.30pm.
Interested people can call
club president Krupesh Patel
on 6700478
SOROPTIMIST INTER-
NATIONAL is a vibrant,
dynamic organisation for to-
days professional and busi-
nesswomen, working through
projects to promote equality,
development and peace. We
are seeking members to join
our club. Interested ladies can
call SI Nadi president Zeaba
Rahiman on 9977058
FIJIAN WRITERS ASSO-
CIATION which has been
established to form the rst
ever formal body represent-
ing writers, poets, journal-
ists and everyone who has a
passion for writing is seek-
ing new members. Interested
people can contact Professor
Subramani via email:-
subramani@fnu.ac.fj
JOSEPHINE NAVULA
Law school gets timely recognition by PSC
By SHALENDRA
PRASAD
Law students at the Uni-
versity of Fiji have every rea-
son to be happy.
The Universitys law pro-
gramme has been given the
nod by Public Service Com-
mission (PSC) following con-
sultation with the ofce of
the chief registrar which has
agreed to accept the qualica-
tions of UniFiji law graduates
for employment purposes in
the Public Service.
The recognition means stu-
dents who graduate under the
law programme will be able to
easily nd employment in the
public service and this serves
as a milestone achievement
as the law school which was
established in 2008, produced
its rst batch of graduates in
2012.
While the number of stu-
dents enrolling for the law
programme has been on a
steady increase, the rst batch
of eleven students graduated
with LLB during the gradua-
tion ceremony last year.
At the present stage, a total
of 209 students are enrolled in
the law programme at differ-
ent stages with courses now
being offered at both the Suva
and Saweni campuses.
Reacting to the recogni-
tion, acting Vice-Chancellor
Associate Professor Chandra
Dulare said students who en-
roll for the law programme
can rest assured about their
future.
Recognition of the Uni-
Fiji Law programme by the
Public Service Commission is
a milestone achievement for
the University as it provides a
solid foundation to students to
do law without social disloca-
tion and at affordable costs,
Professor Dulare said.
It gives credibility to the
programme offered and the
School of Law is bound to be
overwhelmed by increases in
numbers hereafter.
Professor Dulare contin-
ued that recognition of the
law programmes strengthens
the resolve of the University
of Fiji to provide quality and
affordable education to those
who enrol at UniFiji and help
develop the human resource
base for Fiji and make Fiji a
knowledge based society.
Mr Salvin Nand, The Act-
ing Dean for the School of
Law also thanked PSC for
recognising the Bachelors of
Law program and providing
equal employment opportuni-
ties for the Graduates.
Some of our graduates
have already found successful
employment as legal ofcers
in the Public Service sector.
This is timely news as our
next lot of graduates will enter
the job market in few months.
The School will thrive to pro-
vide high quality, relevant and
socially responsible legal edu-
cation that is relevant to the
Fiji Legal system. Mr Nand
concluded.
Law Lecturers and staff with Acting Dean of the School of Law. Back Row from left; Mr.
Wilfred Golman; Mr. Jiten Singh; Mr. Marika Degei; Ms Ilisapeci Whippy; Mr. Humphrey
Marau. Front Row from left; Ms. Merewai Brown; Mr. Salvin Nand; Ms Salaseini Naivaluvou.
Absent; Pt. Devendra Pathik (Honorary Dean and former High Court Judge); Ms Arishma
Goundar; Mr. Janmai Udit. Photo: SANGITA PRASAD.
Fiji created another milestone achievement when our
very own brand- new aircraft touched down at the
Nadi International Airport in front of thousands of
eagerly awaiting people.
It was indeed an emotional sight when the A330 was mak-
ing its way to land as the crew of Air Pacic chanted
along with traditional songs.
The country came to a standstill when the airbus with its
new masi design ew over the airport and was prepar-
ing to land, people had all rushed in for a better spot
to capture the moment weve all been waiting for, the
new A330 coming home.
Bringing the plane home, President His Excellency Ratu
Epeli Nailatikau amazed the crowd gathered at the
arena after highlighting some of the stunning features
of the new airbus.
The wide bodied aircraft is a large airliner with two
passenger isles, known as a twin isles aircraft that can
carry from 200 to as many as 850 passengers, he said.
Air Pacic, soon to be Fiji Airways is indeed changing
our business in the sky, not only that, we can also asso-
ciate ourselves with internationally renowned aircraft
manufacturers like Airbus.
The big achievement will surely go down in the history of
Fiji and better yet, we have our very own Airbus for
the rst time.
As the late Pope John Paul once said, Fiji, the way the
world should be.
God bless Fiji and her beautiful, friendly people.
New A330
a national
icon
ADVERTISEMENT
LOCAL NEWS
Actions to
reduce Nadi
oods
By JOSEPHINE NAVULA
By MARGARET NAQIRI
Integrated Water Resourc-
es Management (IWRM) will
be reviewing its exit strategy
of reducing ooding in Nadi,
as discussed at this years rst
Nadi Basin Catchment Com-
mittee (NBCC) meeting that
was held at the Nadi Town
Council Chambers.
IWRM Nadi Demonstra-
tion Project Manager Vinesh
Kumar said theres no denite
solution for looking after the
water level.
The reason we put up this
project is to see how best we
can manage with ood waters.
We have been looking at the
forestry activities up stream,
put up early warning systems
and set up disaster committees
in the village, he said.
Kumar said the main pur-
pose of the meeting is to set
up a committee to look after
the decisions that have been
undertaken by the members.
We have decided to form
a management committee to
look at future funding and
activities for the project, he
said.
As part of NBCC projects,
there are two sirens function-
ing in Nadi to alert the people
on the rise of water level.
The two sirens havent
been commissioned but its
up and running. They are sta-
tioned at Sikituru and at the
back of the Nadi Fire Author-
ity Building, he said.
Kumar later added, they
have been working hard to
keep the project sustainable.
We needed some kind of
mechanism to keep this proj-
ect sustainable. The issue is
about how adaptive we can
be, he said.
Members and stakeholders of the Nadi Basin Catchment Committee during the meeting at the council chambers. Photos:
MARGARET NAQIRI.
Concerned...Bob Speed and Bobby Raniga pay attention to
the presentations at the meeting.
Blood drive attracts donors
Blood donor Anish Vinay
Prasad is being assisted
by Sister Muniamma Sami
and Phlebotomist Mereseini
Naola during the blood drive
at the MH Car Park on
Saturday, March 16. Photo:
MARGARET NAQIRI.
MH Supermarket car park
was a hive of activity on Sat-
urday, March 16 as many peo-
ple came to donate blood for
the western blood bank.
According to Sister Mu-
niamma Sami of Lautoka
Hospital blood bank, public
support is crucial as blood is
needed to save lives.
The drive was organized
by the Sathya Sai Service
Organization of Fiji, Nadi
branch.
Chairman of the organiz-
ing committee, Mohan Lal
said that Lautoka Hospital
needs blood and they are al-
ways ready to help.
We carry out such blood
drives every quarter to help
the blood bank keep a regular
supply and donors are also
treated with snacks and re-
freshments as well, Mr Lal
said.
The organizers were happy
with the response from mem-
bers of the public as regular
donors and rst time donors
turned up at the car park to
support the cause.
LOCAL NEWS
By JOSEPHINE NAVULA
Great turn out
for Miss World
Fiji Auditions
Judges for the casting (L-R) FBC Television Presenter, Clarence Dass, Miss World Fiji Auditions Director, Andhy Blake,
reigning Miss Fiji, Koini Vakaloloma interviewing a participant at Zig Zag cafe, at the Prouds agship store in Nadi Town.
More nice pictures are on our Facebook page. Photo: MARGARET NAQIRI.
Everybody loves THE JET...Reigning Miss Fiji Koini Vakalolo-
ma was impressed with Fijis First Community Newspaper.
Photo: MARGARET NAQIRI.
TOP: Tarishma Gounder, the lead actress of the yet to be
released locally produced Hindi movie Highway to Suva
was also part of the auditions. RIGHT: A participant reacts
to our camera. Photos: MARGARET NAQIRI.
More than twenty young
women turned up for the Miss
Fiji Casting held at Nadi for
the rst time ever on Saturday,
March 16 at the Zig Zag caf
in Prouds agship store.
Speaking to The Jet News-
paper, reigning Miss Fiji,
Koini Vakaloloma said this
is a good opportunity for the
young women to showcase
their talents and capabilities.
We have the potential and
this is a good time to come
out as the Miss Fiji and Miss
World platforms bring out tal-
ents and at the same time the
lucky girl selected for the job
can be a good ambassador for
Fiji.
For all the young women
out there, dont be shy because
I was once there and somehow
Miss Fiji has molded me to
become a good ambassador
for the country and a good
person as well, she said.
Auditioning at the castings,
third year law student of the
University of Fiji, 23-year-
old, Ana Dicavu said this is an
opportunity for a lot of young
women to come and stand up
for what they believe in.
Miss World Fiji is an im-
portant platform for young
girls in this country to come
together and voice out our
opinions and what we believe
in, she said.
Miss Fiji Castings Direc-
tor, Andhy Blake said the cast-
ing was a successful one.
The casting was a great
turn out for Nadi. We saw
girls with a lot of potentials
from different backgrounds
who were doctors, lawyers
and a lot of students, so it was
very exciting, he said.
Blake added that inter-
national icons such as Halle
Berry, Priyanka Chopra and
Aishwarya Rai have all re-
ceived fame through the Miss
World pageants.
The next casting took
place at the Fiji Broadcasting
Corporations building, on
Saturday, March 23 and the
girl selected as Miss Fiji will
participate in the 63rd Miss
World pageant in Indonesia
this September.
Miss Fiji Koini Vakaloloma represented the country in the
62nd Miss World pageant in China last year.
Photo: MARGARET NAQIRI.
LOCAL NEWS
PRESS RELEASE
Empowering
women
EU Ambassador launches project
on International Womens Day
His Excellency Andrew Ja-
cobs, the Ambassador of the
European Union for the Pa-
cic, launched the EU funded
project entitled "The empow-
erment of rural women and
girls in reproductive health".
The project was conceived
by the Medical Director of
Viseisei Sai Health Centre in
Lautoka, Associate Professor
Swaran Naidu.
She said that the wellness
of many women is affected by
their poor reproductive health.
The EU funding will enable
the team from Viseisei Sai
Health Centre to reach out to
rural women from Ba to Nadi.
Many women in this area are
disempowered because of
poverty, isolation, not being
able to make decisions about
their own health and social
taboos regarding sexually re-
lated topics. The disempow-
erment is aggravated by dif-
culties in accessing quality
reproductive health informa-
tion and care.
Professor Naidu is a gyn-
aecologist with over 30-years
experience in women's health
internationally and in Fiji.
She leads a team of trained
staff comprising of nurses
and health educators. They
will be reaching out to tertiary
institutions, high schools and
women's groups to educate
the educators about reproduc-
tive health matters. They will
be talking to women and girls
about their health needs. In
addition with the assistance of
the Fiji Cancer Society West-
ern Branch they will be pro-
viding outreach clinical ser-
vices for cervical and breast
cancer screening and assist
women with their family plan-
ning needs.
Professor Naidu said that
the assistance of the EU has
been integral to the project.
"Without the EU's commit-
ment and generosity, this
project would not have been
possible." She also thanked
the Fiji Cancer Society, the
Ministry of Health and the
Fiji National University for
their collaboration, assistance
and encouragement. The Vi-
seisei Sai health Centre will
be working closely with the
Divisional Medical and Edu-
cation Ofcers, Western on
this project.
In his speech, Ambas-
sador Jacobs underlined the
signicance of gender issues.
"The EU places a tremendous
importance on gender issues,
both at home and in the global
context as it is a crucial cross-
cutting item in all of EU proj-
ects and programmes in the
region whether in sheries,
in climate change, in access to
energy. Looking at the Pacic
region, the EU remains very
concerned about the situation
across the region, in particu-
lar with the high prevalence
of violence against women,
and the low participation of
women in public life." Am-
bassador Jacobs also pointed
out that "to address the gender
situation most effectively, we
need a strong commitment by
our partners, we need engage-
ment at the highest level as
witnessed today by the pres-
ence of the Tui Vuda and his
wife. We need initiatives that
are Pacic-centered, and we
need a strong involvement of
non-state actors."
Professor Naidu said it was
tting that the project was be-
ing launched on International
Women's Day. "Women are
often trapped in their bodies
because of unplanned preg-
nancies and that they are tar-
gets for sexual and gender
violence because of cultural
entrenchments." She said it
was timely that women felt
empowered to protect their
bodies and psyche. An em-
powered woman can contrib-
ute even more to society if she
can achieve wellness by main-
taining good physical, mental,
spiritual and social health.
Background: The Ministry
of Health has noted that many
women do not use family
planning methods, that ado-
lescent pregnancy rates are
high and sexually transmitted
infections are prevalent in the
community. They have also
stated that Fiji has one of the
highest cervical cancer rates.
In Fiji, the EU is cur-
rently supporting a number
of initiatives that contribute
to improving the situation of
women. EU supports "Live
and Learn" to help mobil-
ise women in governance
matters, in human right and
democratisation processes.
Additionally, "FemLink" is
helped as to ensure the mass
media reects women human
security issues and to increase
that more political space is
available for women to en-
gage actively in the develop-
ment of the country. The EU
also assists "Women's Actions
for Change" to help marginal-
ized women and young people
to integrate better into the so-
ciety. In the regional level, the
EU has several small projects
running, addressing directly
gender issues. In total, proj-
ects in Fiji, PNG, Solomon Is-
lands, Timor Leste, and Vanu-
atu, account to the amount
of 2.3 million, plus several
EIDHR projects impacting on
gender issues.
His Excellency Andrew Jacobs, right, during the launch of
the project which coincided with the International Womens
Day. Photos: EUROPEAN UNION.
TOP: His Excellency Andrew Jacobs, right, with Dr Swaran
Naidu. BOTTOM: HE Jacobs meets with participants at the
Viseisei Sai Health Centre.
LOCAL NEWS
Dorinda works
for community
PRESS RELEASE
Newly formed NGO, Stay
Connected- Fiji (SCFL) held a
workshop on disaster risk and
awareness for the women of
Nasota settlement in Lautoka
recently.
SCFL Managing Director,
Dorinda Work said the Punjas
sponsored workshop encour-
aged participants to highlight
pertinent disaster risks that
face the community and come
up with solutions and bet-
ter practices for disaster pre-
paredness.
The workshop concluded
with the appointment of a
nine-member Disaster Com-
mittee for Nasoata, of which 5
are women. Participants were
given Certicates of Atten-
dance and were encouraged
to implement the knowledge
gained from the workshop in
their community, she said.
On Saturday, SCFL staff
and group of youth volunteers
from Wainikasoso Methodist
Youth Group worked together
with the Nasoata community
to clean the shoreline of de-
bris.
After clearing of debris,
rows of old tyres were laid
along the beach to provide
some resistance to soil erosion
whilst allowing sand to build
up over time, Work said.
She said the tyres were giv-
en by General Machinery Hire
and Williams & Goslings and
both companies have agreed
to maintain a regular supply
of tyres to the community.
The tyres also act as a
buffer during high tides and
waves in rainy weather, she
said.
Our mission is to partner
with communities and stake-
holders to build sustainable
livelihoods and our programs
include Community Gover-
nance Programs, Financial
Literacy and Basic Business
Skills Training.
We are thankful to the
people who have made the
projects we have undertaken
so far a successful one.
We are thankful to Gen-
eral Machinery Hire, Wil-
liams & Goslings and Punjas
for partnering with SCFL in
this project and we look for-
ward to partnering with other
stakeholders who would be
willing to assist in developing
communities in Lautoka and
surrounding areas.
We are also grateful to
Lautoka City Council for
supplying garbage bags and
gloves for the cleanup cam-
paign at Nasoata, Work con-
cluded.
Women of the Nasoata community light candles to mark the International Womens Day.
Photo: SUPPLIED.
The Nasoata community unites to learn about disaster awareness. Photo: SUPPLIED.
Treat for special kids
By SHALENDRA
PRASAD
Students of Nadi Special
Centre for Education were all
smiles after getting a lunch
treat and a tour of the Nadi
Gayatri Shaktipeeth Temple
on February 14.
Temple president Jagruti
Patel said her members have
been providing lunch to the
special kids regularly but de-
cided to invite kids over to the
temple this time.
We wanted the children
to have a look at the temple
as well apart from providing
them with lunch so they came
with teachers and enjoyed
their time here, Mrs Patel
said.
She said the lunch trip
was organised to mark vas-
ant panchmi which marks
the start of the faag season
which culminates with the
festival of colours commonly
known as holi by Hindus.
Students with their teachers and members of the
temple. Photo: SHALENDRA PRASAD.
LOCAL NEWS
Kirtan star enters bhajan
competition for baby Angel
By SHALENDRA
PRASAD
By SHALENDRA
PRASAD
Fijis undisputed kirtan
king Avinesh Chand of So-
lovi, Nadi has taken a huge
challenge by entering into un-
chartered waters.
Chand is participating in
a bhajan competition against
Fijis number one bhajan sing-
er Master Shiu Dayal.
Kirtan and bhajan are both
devotional songs but vary a
lot in method and the way the
topics are chosen; therefore
one can be a champ in one
eld, but a total disaster in the
other.
Despite the odds, Chand
has taken up the challenge for
a noble cause.
All money raised from the
event which will be held at the
prestigious Malolo Sangam
Temple on Saturday, May 4
from 7pm onwards will go
towards the medical treatment
of baby Angel who needs ur-
gent operations to be carried
out in India.
Emotional father, Alan Ku-
mar said he is very saddened
to see his two-year-old daugh-
ter, Angel Kumar in this con-
dition.
Angel was born with both
of her feet facing inwards
and up until now is unable
to walk. She has been diag-
nosed with Bilateral Resistant
CTEV which is an inversion
and severe plantar exion of
both her feet, he said.
Kumar also mentioned that
Angel is currently walking
and running around on her
knees.
We are trying to take her
to Batra Hospital, New Delhi,
India for treatment and are ad-
amant the money raised from
the event will help reach the
$25K target needed for the en-
tire trip and operation costs.
The above patient had
been diagnosed with Congeni-
tal Talipies (CTEV Bilateral).
Severe grade was treated
through the ponsetti technique
at Lautoka Hospital Physio-
therapy department. The treat-
ment was not successful and
she still has gross deformity,
Consultation Orthopedic Sur-
geon Joeli Mareko of Lautoka
Hospital stated in a letter.
For more information and
ticket sales, contact Alan Ku-
mar on mobile 9209132 or
email alankumar23@gmail.
com.
Little Angel ponders about
her future with parents Alan
and Rachel Kumar. Photo:
SHALENDRA PRASAD.
Maha Shiv Ratri celebrated
in style at Tirath Dhaam
Hindus all over the world
united to celebrate Maha Shiv
Ratri on Sunday, March 10.
Also known as the great
night of Lord Shiva, here in
Fiji, the event was celebrated
in style at the renowned Tirath
Dhaam in Votualevu, Nadi.
Known as one of the most
attractive Hindu shrines in
the country, the Tirath Dhaam
was established by Late Pun-
dit Vivekanand Sharma, a for-
mer president of Shree Sana-
tan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha
of Fiji and a member of par-
liament as well.
This years celebrations re-
ceived a major boost thanks
to Aswin Sharma, manag-
ing director of Mr Mobile,
the sole distributors of Nokia
phones in the Pacic region.
Mr Sharma donated a grand
statue of Lord Shiva and Mata
Parvati before the prayers and
this added more excitement to
the entire environment.
Tirath Dhaam in Votua-
levu has really stood the test
of time and I am happy to have
made a contribution on behalf
of my family and staff, Mr
Sharma said.
Pundit Sachin Sharma,
right, carries out prayers
to celebrate the instal-
lation of the new Lord
Shiva and Mata Parvati
statue at the Votualevu
Tirath Dhaam. Photo:
COURTESY OF VTD
FACEBOOK ADMINIS-
TRATOR.
86TH SANGAM CONVENTION
We are proud to be associated with TISI Sangam and wish the 86th annual convention every success
This year the TISI Sangam
Convention 2013, the 86th
Convention would be held
once again during the Easter
holidays from Friday 29th
March Monday April 1st at
Churchill Park in Lautoka.
The Sangam Convention is
the major activity in the San-
gam Calendar and draws the
largest crowd when compared
to gathering of this nature.
Over 10,000 members,
friends and well wishers are
expected to converge at the
Lautoka all set
to host 86th
convention
By JAGANNATH SAMI
CEO - TISI SANGAM
FIJI
Churchill Park Friday, March
29 to witness the opening cer-
emony.
Justice Jai Ram Reddy
will grace the occasion as the
Chief Guest.
Cultural events and sports
are the corner stone of the
convention and over 60 soc-
cer teams and 30 netball teams
from Fiji and overseas have
registered to participate. Golf,
Snooker, Volleyball, Tug-O-
War are other sports events
that districts would be com-
peting in over the 4 days.
Cultural programs would
be presented by the Womens
Wing (Maathar Sangam) on
Friday 29th March starting at
7.00pm followed by the Youth
Wing (Valibar Sangam ) on
Saturday 30th March 2013.
Sports will continue over
the four-days and concludes
on Monday, April 1 with pre-
sentation of trophies to the
winners by Mr. Lim Ewe Gen,
Lead Country Manager Fiji
and West Pacic Subcluster of
Mobil Oil Fiji.
Ba are the defending champions of the Sangam IDC title.
Photos: SHALENDRA PRASAD.
Nadi won the veterans title against Lautoka
in 2011. There was no competition in 2012
due to bad weather.
The crowd at Prince Charles Park, Nadi in
2011.
HEALTH & LIFESTYLE
The 158 people who came out to the Westpac Morning Walk
on Saturday, March 9 all had a fantastic time that they have de-
cided to organize a walk every two months for the whole com-
munity of Nadi.
Earlier this year, the Ministry of Health, Wellness Unit, the
Fiji Physiotherapy Association and Westpac Banking Corpora-
tion renewed their partnership to continue to organize health
and wellness activity with the aim of improving health and
wellness for the people of Fiji.
The program consists of awareness of non-communicable
diseases and its damaging effects plus the need to keep physi-
cally active as a key component for health and wellbeing. The
program centers around the Westpac Morning Walks, which
offer free health checks from the Ministry of Health and free
exercise, advise from qualied physiotherapists.
The Bank Manager of Westpac Nadi, Ms Ane Tabuya said,
The walk in Nadi was organized by the Border Police Unit
and the Namaka Police Station, where we combined community
policing and our health and wellness program.
The Westpac Morning Walks are open to the public and
many individuals from corporate and business houses also
joined and enjoyed a healthy start to their weekend. All who
participated promised to bring their friends and family to the
next walk scheduled for Saturday, May 4.
We aim to add an open air zumba session at the next walk
and offer schools that register and walk a free exercise clinic
with a qualied physiotherapist, added Ms Tabuya.
Westpac
promotes
healthy living
By JANINE PENJUELI
Sylvia Peckham leads the stretches at the Westpac morning walk.
BELOW: More shots from the day. Photos: Courtesy of JANINE
PENJUELI.
BEAUTY MANTRA
By SHALENDRA
PRASAD
A whole new way to relax with wax
Beauty fanatics have every
reason to be happy thanks
to Beauty Mantra Nadi which
has introduced Mind to Body
massage and lotion candles, a
rst of its kind in Fiji.
Developed by award win-
ning beautician Renna Dan-
elutti of Sydney, Australia, the
revolutionary candles have
given a sigh of relief to thou-
sands of customers across the
globe.
The new and innovative
product is the rst for Fiji
whereby a unique all natural
soy treatment with wax and
candle technology can be ex-
perienced.
I had the pleasure of meet-
ing Ripal, owner of Beauty
Mantra, Nadi at the Sydney
International Beauty Expo
and we immediately clicked
as she was totally impressed
with our range of products,
offered Renna Danelutti, CEO
and founder of Mind to Body.
We have been exporting
our products overseas and
were available in six coun-
tries so far and Fiji is our sev-
enth market. The innovative
candles are a rst for Austra-
lia and the world, Danelutti
added.
Being no stranger to the
eld, Danelutti has been mak-
ing such innovative candles
from an early age of sixteen
and has never looked back
ever since.
It has taken years of re-
search and development and
the company Mind to Body
is ve-years-old now.
According to Danelutti, all
ingredients used to prepare the
innovative candles are natural
with no side effects.
There is not one single
chemical in any of our candles
and each of the candles have
vitamins A, B, C, E in it with
no colouring and its all or-
ganic, she said.
The innovative candles are
very different from the normal
ones which you can only light
up while some having nice
odor blended on it.
As for these candles, you
can light them up and the oil
produced can be used for your
beauty treatment in various
ways and has a great sense of
feeling attached to it as well,
Danelutti said.
Eighty percent of our cus-
tomers are leading beauty spas
in all our export and home
markets while the remainder
is from retail stores.
I hope everyone in Fiji
gets to experience these inno-
vative candles from Mind to
Body and we say its a whole
new way to relax with wax.
The treatment is so easy,
just light up the candle and in
ten minutes your oil is ready
to be applied to your skin or
hair.
With Fiji as the latest and
Australia as the home market,
the innovative candles from
Mind to Body are also avail-
able in Korea, China, Singa-
pore, New Zealand and Mau-
ritius.
Danelutti says visiting
Fiji for the second time was
a great experience and she
wishes to return for a family
holiday.
I came to Fiji many years
ago with my family and it
is the best place to be in the
world with plenty of time to
relax and do nothing added
with the friendliness and hos-
pitality of the Fijian people.
Beauty Mantra Nadi director Ripal Patel,
third from right, and Renna Danelutti of
Mind to Body Australia, second from right,
with staff of Beauty Mantra during the
launch of the new innovative candles at the
Tuttie Fruity restaurant on Saturday, March
2. Photos: MARGARET NAQIRI.
More photos from the launch function by Margaret Naqiri
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
EDUCATION
Prefect induction for Mount Saint Marys Primary School
was held on Friday, March 1 in a school mass and a celebration
was hosted by the school manager, Father Rafaele Qalovi.
In his Homily, Father Qalovi stressed to the prefects that,
the process of being chosen as leaders may have been done
through human election but it was Gods calling for them to
lead the other students. God inspires and empowers leaders.
Leadership is not just about inuencing others; being wise in
your leadership, equipped with moral values is important you
should be able to distinguish between what is good and what is
bad or evil.
Head Boy Manasa Daurewa and Head Girl Cina Foster are
both very humbled indeed with their appointments. Both are
looking forward to the challenges that lay ahead of them in
2013; they both acknowledge that they can only be successful
in their leadership roles with the support and cooperation of the
other prefects. They are grateful to their parents for their guid-
ance and support.
Young leaders
reminded of
their roles
By MERE WILLIAMS
Prefects of Mount Saint Marys Primary School pose for a
group photo with Father Rafaele Qalovi after their induc-
tion. INSET: From Right is Cina Foster (HG), Manasa
Daurewa (HB), Lusiana Verekawa (DHG) and Caleb
Chute (DHB). Photos: MERE WILLIAMS.
Head Boy Manasa Daurewa with proud parents.
Deputy Head Boy Caleb Chute with proud mum.
Deputy Head Girl Lusiana Verekawa with proud aunty.
Head Girl Cina Foster with proud aunty.
TRAVEL AND TOURISM
PRESS RELEASE
New director of sales for Sotel
Experienced accommoda-
tion industry specialist Al-
exandra Ridgway (pictured)
has joined the Sotel Luxury
Hotels group, having recently
been appointed Director of
Sales & Marketing for the
brands agship property in
Fiji, the Sotel Fiji Resort &
Spa.
Alexandra (who com-
menced her management
career with Sotels parent
company Accor in 1999 as a
Key Account Manager in Ac-
cors Corporate ofce in Mel-
bourne) was most recently
with the Fraser Suites in Syd-
ney.
PRESS RELEASE
Shangri-Las Fijian Resort
& Spa, at Yanuca, Fiji car-
ried out its rst Fire and Life
Safety Awareness Training
Programme at Cuvu District
School. The training session
was part of the resorts Life
Skills Outreach Programme
incorporated in its Corporate
Social Responsibility Em-
brace Project.
The resort will also work
with two other schools in
Cuvu District - Nadroumai
Primary School and Sigatoka
Special School as part of the
same Project.
Under the leadership of the
Resorts Fire and Life Safety
Manager Nemani Delaibatiki,
the team spoke to students
about the importance of re
and life safety and ways in
which members of the com-
munity can take ownership
of this not only in schools but
also in their homes.
During the three-hour ses-
sion, a short lecture was de-
livered as well as a video on
the risks and prevention of
res, before the Shangri-La
Fire and Life Safety Team
carried out practical demon-
strations and live training
sessions for students in the
Cuvu School grounds.
We hope to encourage and
spread the message regarding
re and life safety, not just
in light of recent tragic res
here in our own community
but also because we are all
at risk in terms of access to
re services, particularly the
Leading resort
creates re
and life safety
awareness
more remote sections of our
community here in Cuvu Dis-
trict, said Michael Monks the
resorts general manager.
We have been fortunate
enough that the Coral Coast
family of hotels is now regis-
tered with the Ministry of Ed-
ucation, which now allows us
to carry out training for such
critical life skills.
The Resorts Fire and Life
Safety Manager Nemani De-
laibatiki, said, In our com-
pany, we place the highest pri-
ority on re and life safety as
well as security. We are a 24-
hour operation and we have
a responsibility to be diligent
around the clock. Through
this training, we would like to
share the knowledge we have
so that people in our surround-
ing community are in a much
better position to help them-
selves in the event that a re
occurs. We hope that through
this training as well as through
collaboration with the Nation-
al Fire Authority of Fiji, we
will be able to build a team
of re wardens in our schools
and raise awareness about
prevention as well amongst
the community.
Mr Delaibatiki went on to
say that it was important to
be proactive, rather than la-
ment the fact that something
could have been done after a
re has occurred. He further
pointed out that the Resorts
Emergency Response Team
had attended three major inci-
dents in the immediate vicin-
ity of the resort to assist the
National Fire Authority.
Shangri-La Hotels and Re-
sorts remains committed to
operating in an economically,
socially and environmentally
responsible manner while bal-
ancing the interests of diverse
stakeholders. In striving to
be a leader in corporate citi-
zenship and sustainable de-
velopment, a corporate-level
CSR Committee drives the
companys initiatives in the
strategic areas of stakeholder
relations, the environment,
health and safety, the supply
chain and employees. Under
the umbrella of sustainabil-
ity, Shangri-Las social re-
sponsibility programme con-
sists of the two elements of
embrace and sanctuary.
Embrace focuses on Shan-
gri-Las Caring People Proj-
ect, which aims to promote
the highest level of education
and health support in under-
privileged communities. In
sanctuary, the programme
concentrates on Shangri-
Las Care for Nature Project,
which promotes the conserva-
tion and restoration of biodi-
versity. For more information
please access the CSR section
on www.shangri-la.com.
She spent four years with
Fraser Suites working across
various roles including Direc-
tor of Sales & Marketing and
later as Acting General Man-
ager.
Previously Alexandras ca-
reer saw her work with several
other ve-star international
hotels and groups, including
Marriott International (Syd-
ney Head Ofce) as a Senior
Manager in cluster sales, the
Stamford Plaza Hotel Sydney
as Associate Director of Sales
and later Director of Sales and
Marketing. She also worked
with the A.N.A Hotel (now the
Shangri-La Sydney) as Asso-
ciate Director of Sales.
Sotel Fiji Resort & Spa
General Manager Adam Lak-
er says he hopes Alexandras
broad experience across the
hospitality, tourism and busi-
ness events industries will as-
sist in launching a fresh new
era for the resorts established
sales and marketing team.
Alexandra is an extremely
talented hotelier, and we are
delighted to welcome her to
Fiji and our resort on Denarau
Island. Her strong prole in
the industry will ensure a con-
nected approach to working
with all of our varied industry
partners and stakeholders.
ADVERTISEMENT
NADI DOWNTOWN HOTEL FEATURE
When in town, stay at Downtown!
PRESS RELEASE
The demand for affordable
accommodation for budget
travelers in the heart of Nadi
has resulted in major renova-
tion works for a hotel in town.
The Downtown Backpack-
er Hotels newly renovated
accommodation is also under
a new management. And the
hotel management has been
working hard to upgrade the
backpackers accommodation
to three star facilities.
The hotel is conrmed to
be in the renovation process
with $2 million invested in
the work that is under-way
together with a new-look
website implementation in the
plan as well.
With 35-years of experi-
ence the hotel is the rst back-
packer hotel chain within the
territory of Nadi Town that
caters for backpackers both
inbound and outbound.
The hotel is located in the
landmark of sprinkling local
culture at the heart of Nadi
Town with only 10 minutes
drive from Nadi International
Airport.
Renowned for its excel-
lence as service provider, the
hotel is in rehabilitation phase
with the focus of giving back
to the community.
Hotel marketing director
Chandar Prakash said: We
want to make a difference in
tourism industry and we want
to do something for our own
people.
The hotel proudly employs
10 staff and upon its comple-
tion, they aim to provide 20
more job opportunities to the
local community.
Mr Prakash said the man-
agement wants to help locals
who are inspiring and strug-
gling to nd a place in the
working eld.
With the idea imposed on
renovation the main objective
is to boost the service industry
with best suited local products
used. Nadi town lovers will
have an awesome place to
feel themselves with the new
renovated property that is un-
derway.
However we are also as-
sisting locals who want to
enjoy their stay in a hotel en-
vironment with lower local
rates,Mr Prakash said.
The hotel is partnering
with Nadi Chamber of Com-
merce & Industry, Nadi Town
Council and Local Commu-
nity for safety and security
of its guests and offering best
shopping, dining, entertain-
ment opportunities for differ-
ent market segments.
We give rst priority to
our guests safety, considering
our guest to take full advan-
tage of their stay with a sound
and safe environment.
Mr Prakash said they guar-
antee the guest the best stay,
offering free airport transfers.
Also note that we recently
have been working hard to
upgrade the backpackers ac-
commodation to three star fa-
cilities to provide quality ac-
commodation and service for
our guests. We guarantee you
will arrive as a guest but stay
as friends and feel at home.
Mr and Mrs Chandrika
Prasad, the managing direc-
tors are also the founder of
PVV Tours. Nadi Downtown
Hotel, Nadi Holiday Inn, PVV
Rentals and Infosys Fiji Ltd.
They are now aiming to pro-
vide quality accommodation
and service that budget trav-
elers are now looking for in
Nadi Town.
Mr Prasad is one of the
pioneers in the tourism in-
dustry with over 35-years of
experience.
Hotel founders Mr & Mrs Chandrika Prasad with their
granddaughter Tanisha Chandni. Photo: SUPPLIED.
BUSINESS MENTORING
What is the importance of your business - Name?
A new series of articles with challenging perspectives for your businesses
By CLAIRE-DIANE
GIRALDEAU
In our Business Women
Network I mentor some of our
ladies and we have looked at
the importance of selecting
the right name for their busi-
ness. I am so amazed to see
people introduce themselves
in a business meeting with-
out a business card or even a
business name. They can talk
about what they do, explain
their services yet there is no
real business mindset, it is
often just a way of earning
money to feed the family es-
pecially for women.
Of course in our womens
meeting many are still at the
stage of setting up their busi-
ness and this is probably the
best time to ensure that they
pick the perfect name for their
business. So lets go through
some contributing factors to
help you choose the best busi-
ness name.
1. Your vision or
dream about your business
The very rst reexion you
should have is to come up with
a clear vision and it should
be very very simple. I often
use the example of N.A.S.A.
(U.S. space shuttle) their vi-
sion was To put a man on the
moon, even the nance man-
ager can remember it and all
employees can somehow take
ownership, feel like they can
be part of this dream. I know
this applies for a big organisa-
tion, however even if you just
have a sole proprietor small
catering business you should
have a dream about your busi-
ness.
Where you see yourself in
5 years, what do you want to
do with this buisness, would
you like your business to be-
come famous if so how much,
locally, regionally or even in-
ternationally? By answering
these few questions you will
get some indicators to select
your name. For example if
you dream of becoming in-
ternational a Fijian word in
your business name may be
meaningful here in Fiji but
quite meaningless in another
language like English. Also it
may mean something offen-
sive or completely different,
I know for a fact that some
Spanish words can be written
the same as Fijian words and
be insulting.
2. Your mission or
eld of activities
The name of your busi-
ness does not have to include
your eld of activities; it all
depends on the obvious side
of what your eld of activ-
ity is. Also many times, there
are various meanings to the
same word and you must be
careful. For example, JET is
more recognised in the airline
industry, yet the Jet set has be-
come a way of referring to the
active social life of a city and
our Nadi newspaper is called
The Jet.... nothing to do with
plane and a fantastic name.
It is also important to be
creative, stop copying oth-
ers, come up with something
meaningful to you. When I
started Tokani Art Agency,
I was looking for a Fijian
word, easy to say in any lan-
guage, most people abroad do
not know the Fijian meaning
of Tokani, they think it is a
made up name and that is
perfect as long as they can re-
member it easily it is great. So
Tokani in itself has nothing to
do with Art, it is the other
words that complement the
activity.
If you are trying to de-
scribe your activity in a local
language probabilities are that
only those who understand
that language will know. I am
mentoring some young ladies
now who want to establish a
unique dance group, com-
ing up with the meke group
as a name will not give the
true sense of what I know they
want to achieve. There has to
be something really distinc-
tive about the name when
your intention is to do some-
thing totally different than the
others.
It is a common practice in
Fiji, to see everyone copy ev-
eryone, so ensure that no one
can copy you, make it difcult
for them to copy you, keep
some element of your busi-
ness discreet, secret and keep
adding new things yet do not
disperse yourself in too many
activities.
3. Your goals short
term & long term
When you start you may go
just by the word of mouth
style of promoting your busi-
ness, I agree that it is cheap,
easy and simple to go this
way however there comes a
point where you will need to
do more. You must set goals
& objectives. Why did you
start your business in the rst
place? What goal did you have
in mind, is it only to pay bills?
Maybe initially but what if it
could be more?
You need to plan what if it
picks up and grows, can you
handle it alone? Will you hire
qualied people or just count
on families and friends to help
you without paying them.
How reliable will that be?
There is always a great chal-
lenge for small business in Fiji
and it has to do with consis-
tency and I personally think
that it is a reection of your
concept of time.
You live in the present
and that is wonderful I have
learned to do that since I live
here, but in business espe-
cially if you will deal with
foreigners/visitors it cannot
work. So planning, setting up
goals gradually seeing your
business grow will help you
become reliable and success-
ful. Your name will become
recognised by its performance
in achieving goals & promises
to your clients.
4. Your logo and tag
line
Today it is easy to create
your own logo if you want to
keep it simple when you start,
again I believe that using
some professional help will
make a difference depend-
ing on what your dream is all
about. It may also take a while
to nd the right graphic artist
to do exactly what you imag-
ine. I know I went through
that process with 3 different
artists before getting the logo
for Tokani. It had to be drawn
a few times, the choice of
colours need to t your own
tastes as well.
For Tokani, the logo is
inspired by a Maori symbol
for the month of May my
birthday, it means prosper-
ity and wealth, the colours
violet is for royalty and green
represent the heart charka all
of these elements combined
comes to the meaning of to-
kani forever friends. That is
what I dream for Tokani Art
Agency. Now there is no need
to explain to everyone the
meaning of your logo if you
choose not to like I do, but it
must be something that iden-
ties with you and gradually
people see it and they know it
is you.
The other part of the name
& logo is having a tagline, I
chose for Tokani Art Agency...
Touched by Art, because I
am personally touched by art
and I want people who see our
exhibitions to be touched by
art as well. For my consult-
ing business Executive Men-
toring Group (EMG Fiji) the
tag line is Leading you to
change without the box and
of course that differs from the
expression thinking outside
the box, because my ap-
proach to change is that there
is NO box. So the tagline is a
little bit like an indication of
your business results. Think a
little about some big brand, I
am sure you can easily name
a few organisations tagline as
soon as you see their logo
5. The challenge of
having to change your busi-
ness name.
What are the various costs
to change your business
name; initially it may be just
the printing of your material
and product labels. But it can
also go way beyond that and
get to a complete rebranding
as in the examples below.
Last year one of my art
clients contacted me to con-
sider using one of Tokanis
artist to do the drawing of the
new packaging of her beauty
products. You probably saw
the articles in various papers
last December when we did
the launch of Essence of Fiji
beauty products with Api Va-
karau getting the commission
work to produce artwork for
the owner Debra Sadranu. The
whole process took more than
a year to change the name Es-
sence of Viti to Essences of
Fiji, and it made me realise
that now that Debra is export-
ing her product abroad using
Fiji instead of Viti made a big
difference. People overseas
do not know where Viti is or
what it is, yet Fiji is known.
We are all now very aware
of the name change of our air-
line from Air Pacic to Fiji
Airways and that of course is
at a much higher scale than
one can imagine it is a total
rebranding. I am part of the
training team for the Hospital-
ity training being conducted
to the cabin crew right now
in preparation of the arrival of
the new airbus and the com-
pletely new onboard service.
I must admit that I am really
impressed and enthusiastic
of the pride it is bringing to
all participants. There are so
many changes apart from the
plane itself which will demand
adjustment in technical set up,
other changes like the uni-
form, the quality of service,
the sense of excellence which
comes in truly from the people
who do present that service.
Like I shared in the classroom
there is a difference between
saying my pleasure ver-
sus no problem when you
bring the 10th glass of water
to a guest. I sincerely believe
that change is all about peo-
ple and each individual staff,
cabin crew, pilot can make a
difference in embracing that
change. I look forward to my
next trip and experience the
very unique and worldwide
known warmth of the Fijian
people.
In conclusion choose the
name of your business care-
fully, go through the steps
above to assess whether or not
you will stay local or go inter-
national and test it with vari-
ous people, potential custom-
ers. I will be more than happy
to discuss with you in private
mentoring sessions all aspects
of your business.
Contact Claire-Diane emg-
ji@connect.com.fj Mobile
925 8050
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FIJI AIRWAYS A330 ARRIVAL
The Prime Minis-
ter, Honourable Commodore
Voreqe Bainimarama
The Honourable
Chief Justice
Cabinet Ministers
Your Excellencies
the Ambassadors and High
Commissioners
Members of the
Diplomatic Corps
Re pr e s e nt a t i ve s
from Airbus, Rolls-Royce,
and Panasonic
Members of the Fiji
Tourism Industry
The Chairman and
Members of the Air Pacic
Board
Mr. Dave Pieger,
Managing Director and Chief
Executive Ofcer of Air Pa-
cic and Staff of Air Pacic
D i s t i n g u i s h e d
Guests
Ladies and Gentle-
men,
Good morning, Ni Sa Bula
Vinaka, Asalam Aleikum, Na-
maskar!
I wish to rstly acknowl-
edge the traditional ceremo-
nies of welcome by the chiefs
and people of the vanua of
Saunaka.
Usually, after a long ten
hour ight, I would look for-
ward to disembarking and set-
ting my feet on solid ground!
However, on this special
occasion, i did not mind nor
did the others of the extended
ight time around the islands,
and especially the one-off op-
portunity to show the people
of Fiji, Air Pacics, and, in
fact, Fijis latest national as-
set.
I must also say that the 10-
hour ight from Hong Kong
was a special experience given
that we were on a brand-new
plane! I can already imagine
what it will be like when we
add the full complement of
in-ight services and the pro-
fessional personal touch of
hospitality of which our own
air pacic ight attendants are
famously renowned.
I know that many of you,
like me, have been eagerly
looking forward to our new
plane. And I am glad to see
many of you here to celebrate
this auspicious occasion. For
indeed, today is a day to cel-
ebrate a remarkable achieve-
ment.
Through Air Pacic and a
host of both local and interna-
tional partners, Fiji now owns
a wide-body aircraft - for the
rst time since our national
airline took to the sky more
than sixty years ago!
For the un-initiated, Ill
share with you some of my
newly acquired knowledge of
aircrafts which has just been
boosted over this past week-
end since travelling to Hong
Kong to bring our new plane
home.
The wide body aircraft is
Address by His Excellency Ratu Epeli Nailatikau
a large airliner with two pas-
senger aisles, also known as a
twin-aisle aircraft. Wide-body
aircrafts can seat from seven
to ten and in some cases even
eleven passengers abreast.
They can carry from 200 to as
many as 850 passengers.
Up until now, Air Pacics
eet comprised of narrow-
body aircrafts which were
of course with a single aisle
and carried an average of 162
passengers. This is not to say
that Air Pacic does not op-
erate wide-body aircrafts. It
operates the 747 and used to
operate a 767, but these were
leased in the past.
The ownership of wide-
body planes is a strong state-
ment that Air Pacic, and,
indeed Fiji, is changing our
business in the sky! Not only
that, we can also be proud
to be associated with inter-
nationally renowned aircraft
manufacturers like airbus,
Rolls-Royce and Panasonic,
whose distinguished represen-
tatives I have had the pleasure
of meeting in Hong Kong and
who have made the wise and
important business decision to
deliver their nished product
to us today.
Be rest assured that i am
giving you the thumbs-up
for making such an excellent
product!
You have stood true to
your reputation of manufac-
turing rst-class state-of-the-
art aircrafts which have now
become the popular brand in
the aviation industry around
the world.
Speaking of Hong Kong, I
know many people will have
wondered why those of us
who just ew in this morning
didnt stay back to be part of
the much-looked forward-to
Hong Kong sevens.
Let me just say that duty
called and that we decided not
to mix business and pleasure
on this occasion. But we know
only too well of the many who
are quietly chuckling and
enjoying this monumental
mis-timing!
But I have this to say to
our national sevens team: you
performed dismally in Wel-
lington but you improved in
L.A., you go to Hong Kong
as defending champions. We
wish you every success. You
will give us even greater rea-
son to celebrate if you win the
Hong Kong sevens title this
weekend.
Today ladies and gentle-
men, marks a very signicant
milestone in the evolution of
aviation in our country. The
magnicent plane we see be-
fore us is the rst of three that
Air Pacic has bought. The
new planes and the expanded
routes they will soon y, will
contribute greatly to growing
Fijis economy and its proud
tradition of hospitality and
tourism.
Importantly, the new
planes will enable Fiji to ex-
pand and sustain its connec-
tions to countries with a high
number of out-bound tourists,
and also to new and emerging
markets like China, India and
the greater Asian region, and
perhaps even in Europe.
On the whole, Fijis tourist
arrivals, including those from
our traditional sources in Aus-
tralia, New Zealand and the
Americas continue to reach
unprecedented levels. I have
no doubt that the new air-
crafts will translate into even
more arrivals, in the same
way that they will help cre-
ate more jobs and contribute
signicantly to sustaining our
tourism industry as Fijis top
foreign exchange and revenue
earner.
The new planes will also
enable Fiji to increase our ex-
port opportunities to new mar-
kets. However, it is important
for all Fijians to note that with
these expanded opportunities
comes greater responsibility
for all of us. Our collective
responsibility is to develop
our country into one of the
best tourist destinations in the
world.
We need to ensure that we
provide unparalleled hospi-
tality in an equally safe and
environment-friendly desti-
nation. These will add great
value to the natural beauty of
our islands and the uniqueness
of our people.
So, our challenge is to be
among the best tourist desti-
nations in the world! I have
every condence that we can
do this and enjoy the fruits of
our labour.
Air Pacic is already
showing the way. But like any
other business venture, the
airline has been through both
good and bad times.
Recently, however, with
the sterling leadership of its
Managing Director and Chief
Executive Ofcer, Dave
Pieger, the airline has seen
a huge turn-around from sus-
taining signicant losses in
previous years to raking-in
prot in the millions of dol-
lars lately.
In addition to this rejuve-
nated prot, air pacic has
made unprecedented im-
provements to its operational
efciency. The fact that it has
now been able to purchase
top-of-the-range aircrafts is
indicative that the airline is
well on the road to recovery,
and a brighter future.
However, as I mentioned
to our guests in Hong Kong
yesterday, it is rather unfortu-
nate for Fiji that we will soon
lose Dave to one of the United
States leading airline compa-
nies.
Fiji must now take courage
and condence in the long-
term strategies that Daves
sterling leadership has helped
to put in place, and in the staff
that he has trained. And all
of us in Fiji wish him and his
family well in all their future
endeavours.
At this juncture, I would
like to acknowledge on be-
half of the government and
the people of Fiji all those
who have helped to make this
dream for Air Pacic and for
Fiji turn into reality.
We thank each and every
one of you our local and
global partners - for your sup-
port and contribution towards
acquiring these new planes
and towards arrangements
that should see air pacic and
Fiji having a competitive edge
in the airline industry. Even-
tually, we would like to see a
win-win outcome for all of us.
Ladies and gentlemen, i
now draw your attention to
our latest national treasure.
The traditional design or
masi symbol that you see on
the side of the plane is meant
to distinguish air pacic,
which is soon to be known as
Fiji Airways, from the rest of
the airlines. The design repre-
sents the culture and heritage
as well as the spirit of Fiji
and her people; it represents
the natural beauty of our 333
islands; and it also represents
the genuine hospitality of our
people. These, among others,
are the x-factors that we hope
will lure more tourists to our
side of the world.
This particular plane as
you have been told is named
the Island of Taveuni after
our third largest island.
And I am pleased to reveal,
for the rst time, the name of
the second plane which will
be arriving in May of this
year. That plane, also another
airbus like this one, will be
named Namuka-i-Lau, pay-
ing homage to a national icon,
Ms.Makereta Matemosi- who
is here with us today, and to
the island from which she
hails.
Not only has Makereta
designed the new identity for
Fiji Airways, she has done
so by using art and inspiration
which is uniquely Fijian. She
is a shining example of the
creativity of our people.
And as our national airline
soars to new horizons, so will
her designs, and the place she
calls home.
In naming the new planes
after Taveuni and Namuka-i-
Lau, Air Pacic/Fiji Airways
will carry on its proud tradi-
tion of promoting the islands
of Fiji.
We all wait in anticipa-
tion for the naming of the
third plane, which will arrive
in November of this year, but
that is another secret.
My nal comments this
morning are to the 900 people
who work for Air Pacic, soon
to be Fiji Airways. Thank you
for weathering the storms of
the past. Your hard work has
achieved all that the airline is
today. The nation recognises
your contributions to your
company, and indeed to your
country. I encourage you all to
continue to deliver the sterling
results of the past three years.
I am excited to be back here to
witness what you all will ac-
complish next.
Ladies and gentlemen, on
behalf of the people of Fiji, I
am deeply honoured to wel-
come Air Pacic and Fijis
new aircraft, The Island of
Taveuni.
Thank you, vinaka vaka-
levu, shukriya, bahut dhan-
yavaad.
Chief pilot Captain Josua Cavalevu who brought home
the new Airbus A330-200 shares a light moment with His
Excellency Ratu Epeli Nailatikau. Photos: MUNAUWAR
KHAN / MARGARET NAQIRI / MINFO.
Top three...Prime Minister Commodore Frank
Bainimarama greets HE Ratu Epeli Nailatikau
while attorney-general Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum
looks on.
By JOSEPHINE NAVULA
Air Pacic, soon to be Fiji
Airways, has provided profes-
sional trainings for its work-
ers for over the years now.
Outgoing Air Pacic man-
President brings home Airbus A330
HIS Excellency the Presi-
dent Ratu Epeli Nailatikau was
at the forefront of the culmina-
tion of months of excitement
when the A330 aircraft arrived
home on Tuesday, March 19.
The head of state left for
Hong Kong to bring home
the new airbus after accepting
a call to ofciate at the A330
welcome reception that kick-
started on Monday, March 18.
The welcome reception al-
lowed the airline to showcase
its A330 to key members of the
Hong Kong and China travel
trade thus increasing their un-
derstanding of the airlines
product and services on that
route, and promote Fiji tour-
ism.
The President, together
with Air Pacic executives,
accompanied the aircraft on its
maiden journey home on Mon-
day evening and was also chief
guest at the welcome reception
at the Nadi International Air-
port.
Prime Minister Voreqe
Bainimarama and his Cabinet
Ministers together with other
guests awaited patiently for the
Presidents arrival.
The aircraft carries the Fiji
Airways new logo complete
with the Masi design although
as a business Air Pacic will
start using this moniker after
June this year.
The reception in Fiji fea-
tured members of Fijis tour-
ism industry, business com-
munity, executives from
Rolls-Royce, Airbus and Pana-
sonic, government dignitaries
and Air Pacic staff.
PRESS RELEASE
Staff training a priority at Air Pacic
aging director and chief ex-
ecutive ofcer, Dave Pieger
said they train their pilots and
send them overseas for further
experience.
The Airbus has three
training facilities around the
world and thats where we
send our pilots, we also send
our ight attendants to Hong
Kong, Cathay Pacic for their
trainings, he said.
The three training facilities
are at Toulouse in France, Bei-
jing in China and Miami in the
United States of America.
Pieger said their airline
has provided a lot for the Pa-
cic region.
As the small airline of the
Pacic, we are providing so
far above our weight, because
we have a great team and
were doing well, he said.
The new Fiji Airways will
extend its route travelling to
the other destinations as well.
The new airbus is sched-
uled to carry out its rst com-
mercial ight on Tuesday,
April 2 to Auckland via the
Nadi International Airport.
Hard work
creates history
By VARANISESE
NASILASILA
Great launching for a great event - Fiji citizens stood still to
witness history at hand when Fijis own Airbus A330 landed at
the International airport, in Nadi on Tuesday, March 19.
Before landing the all new A330 circumnavigated all over
Fiji to let people have a glimpse of the new Airbus a symbol
of national pride.
From Sigatoka to the Capital City, to other parts of the is-
lands in Taveuni, Savusavu and Labasa, soaring her way over
to the west covering Ba, Lautoka before wheeling down at the
Nadi airport, the new aircraft got the nation beaming with ex-
citement.
Surrounding the area with a Fijian pride atmosphere, it was
truly an emotional day for everyone.
Ofcial program began with a traditional welcome by the
warriors, Kava ceremony before Outgoing Managing Director
and Chief Executive Ofcer Dave Pieger delivered his re-
marks about the new airbus with a word of thanks to those that
had made the day a successful and historic one for Fiji.
Its an amazing airplane because it is the rst plane ever
designed and build from the ground up to expressly represent
Fiji and the Fijian people, said Pieger.
I would like to also thank and give my most sincere and
deepest thanks to the people who are largely standing at the
back of the room and also here with us today and that is the
nearly nine-hundred people whose hard work and dedication
made this day a reality, our Air Pacic team, he said.
After the wonderful introduction of the new airbus, Mr.
Pieger acknowledged the presence of His Excellency, the
President, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau.
The President, who emotionally shared his experience about
the 10-hour ight from Hong Kong to Fiji, didnt mind the long
trip, due to this historic occasion.
Usually after a long 10-hour ight, I look forward to dis-
embarking and setting my foot on solid ground. However on
this special occasion I did not mind nor did the others on the
extended ight time around the Islands and especially the one-
off opportunity to show the people of Fiji, Air Pacics and in
fact Fijis latest national asset, Ratu Epeli said.
He said that the 10-hour ight from Hong Kong was a spe-
cial experience given that we were on a brand new plane.
Concluding the ceremony, Chairman Nalin Patel also shared
a few words before CEO David Pieger presented the Aircraft
over to His Excellency, the President.
After the ceremony, everyone was later invited to have lunch
and tour inside the new Airbus A330, with live entertainment
from the Police Band and Air Pacic workers.
Air Pacic managing director David Pieger Junior disem-
barks from the new A330 with his team upon arrival at the
airline hangar in Nasoso. BELOW: Everyone gets in a jovial
mood.
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24 Cawa Road, Nadi. Phone: 6726751
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Arrival of the new Airbus A330-200 in pictures
BUSINESS NEWS
All tax cases will now be
fast tracked after the appoint-
ment of Honorable Justice
Chandrasiri Kotigalage as the
Tax Judge of the High Court.
Previously there has only
been appointments of Tribu-
nals to attend to tax matters,
that is Court of Review for
Income Tax and VAT Tribunal
for VAT, under the respective
Income Tax Act and VAT De-
cree.
With the changes in the ad-
ministration of tax under the
Tax Administration Decree
(TAD), there are specic pro-
visions in TAD for the estab-
lishment of the Tax Tribunal
and Tax Court. The Tax Court
Tax judge
appointed
is a Division of the High
Court, whilst the Tax Tribunal
is a subordinate Court to the
Tax Court.
The Fiji Revenue and Cus-
toms Authority Board and
Chief Executive Ofcer wel-
comed the establishment of
the Tax Court and the appoint-
ment of the Tax Judge. It is
also noted that this is the rst
in the history of Fijis judicial
system that a Tax Court has
been established and FRCA
is appreciative of the Govern-
ments support to ensure im-
provement in processes and
delivery of services.
FRCA is pleased to have
Justice Kotigalage as the tax
judge. His appointment will
greatly assist in expediting
tax matters that are pending in
court, said FRCA CEO Mr.
Jitoko Tikolevu.
Mr. Tikolevu said FRCA
collects 90 percent of the gov-
ernment revenue and it is im-
portant for the cases relating
to tax to be given priority.
Justice Kotigalages ap-
pointment becomes effective
from 26th February 2013.
PRESS RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE
Big boss...Fiji Revenue
and Customs Author-
ity CEO Jitoko Tikolevu.
Photo: MARGARET
NAQIRI.
New foreign exchange
service opens
By JOSEPHINE NAVULA
The newly established money exchange and money transfer
company, Real Forex will be a new contribution to employment
in Nadi, after it was opened by the Commissioner Western,
Commander Joeli Cawaki.
To provide employment to the people, contributes to the
growth of the economy and this opening of Real Forex will be
one of the contributions, Commander Cawaki said.
Also speaking to guests at the opening, Nadi Chamber of
Commerce & IndustryPresident Dr. Ram Raju said this venture
has been achieved by hard work over the years.
We have businesses running in town that slowly rise up
again, after the recent cyclone and oods from the past few
years. And we have been working to make this place a town full
of shops that will boost our economy and also attract tourists.
Real Forex is now in operation along Nadis Main Street and
is owned by leading businessman and movie producer Peter
Nair.
Chief guest Commissioner Western Commander Joeli Cawaki (seated) takes a tour of
the new ofce. Standing from left are Nadi Town Council CEO Nemia Tagi, Nadi Cham-
ber of Commerce & Industry president Dr Ram Raju, Akhtar Ali, Rajan Narayan and Real
Forex boss Peter Nair. Photo: MARGARET NAQIRI.
Thomas
takes
charge at
NatureFiji-
MareqetiViti
Nunia Thomas, (pictured above)
NatureFiji-MareqetiVitis
Conservation Co-ordinator
has been appointed Director,
taking charge of Fijis most
progressive local conserva-
tion organisation. She takes
charge of a staff of 10 proj-
ect ofcers with responsibil-
ity for 12 on-going projects.
Her rst challenge will be to
oversee the merger of the
BirdLife International Fiji
Program with NatureFiji-
MareqetiVitis domestic
program.
Nunia was NatureFiji-Mareqe-
tiVitis rst recruit, ve
years ago and she has de-
veloped into a dedicated
and passionate conservation
professional. She brought
to NatureFiji-MareqetiViti
advanced technical expertise
as a eld-oriented biologist
and has rapidly developed
the administrative, people
and community skills so
important for a conservation
professional, noted Dick
Watling, one of NatureFiji-
MareqetiVitis Founding
Trustees.
We are especially delighted
that we have been able to
promote from within the or-
ganisation, he added.
2012 AON FIJI EXCELLENCE IN TOURISM AWARDS
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Delivering What Matters
Performance, Refinement And Qualitg
Denarau was a hive of ac-
tivity on Friday, February 22
as the 16th AON Fiji Excel-
lence in Tourism Awards rec-
ognized individuals and op-
erators who did exceptionally
well in their respective elds
last year.
While addressing guests
and participants, tourism min-
ister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum
said government is fully com-
mitted towards the tourism in-
dustry and this could be seen
with the introduction of new
strategies such as the rebrand-
ing of Tourism Fiji with a new
logo and slogan Where hap-
piness nds you, a new web-
site with numerous additional
features and unprecedented
infrastructure development.
The Bainimarama gov-
ernment has committed $23.5
million for tourism marketing
for the past four-years in a row
and this has never been done
before in the history of Fiji,
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.
Government efforts boost tourism sector
By SHALENDRA
PRASAD
He said while all the de-
velopment work is important,
what sets Fiji apart from oth-
ers is the warmth of the Fijian
people.
We can have the best air-
ports, roads and properties,
but if we do not invest in our
people, all this will be on no
signicance.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum has
urged operators to invest in
human resources as govern-
ment is also doing its part by
setting aside millions of dol-
lars in training via the Fiji Na-
tional University.
Meanwhile, a total of 15
awards were given out during
the function at Sotel Fiji Re-
sort & Spa as follows:-
Fijian Host of the
year Joe Gray, Customer
Services Manager, Airports
Fiji Limited
Front liner Eroni
Bole, Rosie Holidays
Tourism Sustain-
ability Kula Eco Park
Incentive Events
Rosie Holidays
Fiji Experience
Koro Sun Resort Raintree
Spa
Restaurants & Din-
ing (Quality & Value) Antoi-
nettes, Nadi Bay Resort Hotel
Restaurants & Din-
ing (Fine Dining) Ivi, Out-
rigger on the Lagoon
Accommodat i on
Budget Manta Ray Resort
Accommodat i on
Quality Malolo Island Re-
sort
Accommodat i on
Deluxe Outrigger on the La-
goon
Accommodat i on
Unique Royal Davui
Accommodat i on
Luxury Likuliku
Marketing Rosie
Holidays
Marketing (Special
Commendation) Lance See-
to
Lifetime Achievers
Lorraine & Dave Evans
Visionary Tony
Whitton.
Tourism pioneers Antoinette
Fifer, left, and Carol Smith were
also part of the awards night at
Sotel Fiji Resort & Spa. Photo:
SHALENDRA PRASAD.
Outrigger on the Lagoon head chef Shailesh
Naidu, second from left, and his team collects the
Crest Chicken sponsored Restaurants and Din-
ing (Fine Dining) award for their Ivi Restaurant.
Photo: JOSEPHINE NAVULA. William, Scotty and Nigel caught in a jovial mood. Photo: SHALENDRA PRASAD.
2012 AON FIJI EXCELLENCE IN TOURISM AWARDS
Air Pacific, Soon To be Fiji Airways,
Congratulates all the winners of the
AON Fiji Excellence Tourism Awards 2012.
The Minister for Tourism;
The Trustees of the Fiji Excellence and Tourism Awards;
The Chair of the Organizing Committee of the Awards;
Tourism Industry Stakeholders;
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Bula vinaka and good evening.
I arrived back in the country this morning from my visit to
France, full of optimism about our industry and its potential to
improve the lives of every Fijian.
As you know, I had the pleasure of visiting the Airbus fac-
tory in France, where I inspected the rst of our A330-200 air-
craft that
will launch the Fiji Airways brand.
These three planes the rst wide-bodied aircraft owned by
Fiji will deliver millions of visitors to our shores in the com-
ing years. And they will carry Brand Fiji to an expanding net-
work of Fiji Airways destinations.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dave Pieger
once again for all he has done to revitalise Air Pacic and shep-
herd its transformation into Fiji Airways. Thank you Dave. I
wish you and your family all the best in your future endeavours.
In an industry where there is so much competition for the
tourist dollar, we need to constantly monitor trends and re-in-
vent ourselves in the marketplace. This is why we have de-
cided to revitalise the Fiji brand not just for Fiji Airways but
for our Tourism Industry as a whole. This year, we launched a
new look for Tourism Fiji. But the change wasnt just skin deep.
Tourism Fiji has for the rst time adopted a holistic and
integrated approach to marketing, branding and advertising that
is sure to bring more visitors to our shores.
Im sure that all of you share my excitement about the po-
tential these developments have to grow our industry to take
the number of visitor arrivals to one million a year and beyond.
Since I last addressed you a year ago, we have all lived
through the devastation caused by two natural disasters - the
oods in early 2012 and Hurricane Evan in December.
We feared that our economy would be hit hard, and espe-
cially Tourism. But Im pleased and relieved to report that visi-
tor numbers stayed remarkably buoyant. In fact, we hit a new
PM Bainimaramas
address at the 16th
AON sponsored
tourism awards on
Friday, February 22
record. Under adverse circumstances, this is a remarkable vote
of condence in Fiji.
I have no doubt that this owes something to hearty Bula
and warm smile our visitors are greeted with the concept be-
hind our new Fijian Hosts program at Nadi Airport and the
remarkable hospitality they experience throughout the rest of
their trip.
Total arrivals up to November were up 4.9 per cent over
the previous year. Some 606-thousand in 2012 compared to
578-thousand in 2011 an increase of 28-thousand. And thats
not even counting Decembers gures.
My fellow Fijians, I am certain that you share my pride, my
gratitude and relief at the way our nation faced these natural
disasters.
The Fijian spirit is alive and well. And I want to again pay
tribute to the various Government agencies, our partners in the
business community, the ordinary men and women of our coun-
try, and of course, the members of the Tourism Industry. From
the owners and management who provided leadership in the
times of crisis many of whom are gathered here tonight to
all the thousands of the Industrys staff.
The commitment of individual Fijians to a speedy return to
work when many were dealing with destruction or damage to
their own homes and communities was an inspiration to us all.
We know that you all have been working around the clock to
restore the damage to your properties. I am happy that Govern-
ment was able to provide assistance to many of you, including
cleanup troops from the RFMF. It was a team effort to get this
vital sector of our economy back on its feet and we can all be
proud of the result.
Tourism is beneting from a host of Government initia-
tives and not just our huge investment in Fiji Airways or the
$150-million Momi Resort development.
In the 2013 Budget, we have made a massive investment in
infrastructure, especially our roads. Our visitors as well as ev-
ery Fijian will benet from this because the state of our roads
has been one of the biggest impediments to economic growth.
Were also investing heavily in agriculture, training a new
generation of farmers with a view to eventually making Fiji
self-sufcient in food production. Our resorts and hotels should
be proudly serving food that is Fijian-made and Fijian-grown.
With those few words, Ladies and Gentlemen, I wish you all
success in your various ventures and congratulate tonights win-
ners. I also thank the sponsors and organisers of the AON Fiji
Excellence in Tourism Awards.
Vinaka vakalevu everyone. Enjoy the rest of the evening.
Prime Minister Commodore
Voreqe Bainimarama deliv-
ers his ofcial address. Photo:
JOSEPHINE NAVULA.
Attorney-General and Minister for Tourism Aiyaz
Sayed-Khaiyum with winners of the awards.
Photo: JOSEPHINE NAVULA.
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ADVERTISEMENT
MOTORING
alloy full alloy ra-
diator, sard fuel
pressure regulator,
wallbro 400hp fuel
pump, HKS SSQ
blow off valve, after-
market waste spark
set up, HKS turbo
timer, Autotechnica
5 Techogauge and
Dragon Boost gauge.
As for audio the
car features an AL-
PINE head unit and
ALPINE 6x9s to-
gether with V12 AL-
PINE amplier Type
R 12 subwoofer.
Just to add some
extra bling the vehicle
has interior and exte-
rior LED lightings for
night outings. The ve-
hicle also has two sets
of wheels which are
worn to suit the place
and event 225/45/
R17 and 205/55/R15
(for show and for go).
The beast does not
have a personalized
plate as at yet as the
owner is still decid-
ing on the right name
and feels it is best
to come on when it
is fully complete.
Irshad says build-
ing a car of your
dreams isnt easy and
he still may not be
done with the car just
yet. He also has a few
plans in mind which
will soon come to life.
The vehicle has
not participated in
any FCC Drag races
as at yet however
the owner says he
has the aspiration
to do so one day!
I never miss any
of the drag races and
seeing all the racers /
cars is a great motiva-
tion for me. One day
my car too will make
its debut at the Tauno-
vo Airstrip and hope-
fully make a name for
itself, says Irshad.
I am quite happy
with the car and it
is very close to my
heart. Like I said ear-
lier I am just not done
with it yet and am
hoping that the car
keeps on surprising
me like it always has.
Despite this be-
ing so loved, Irshad
does dream to own
the legendary Nis-
san Skyline R34
GTR because of its
class and for the fact
its also a Nissan
Munauwar Khan
Design & Layout
Irshad Dean with his very own Skyro
hEART OF A BEAST
Prole Name: Irshad Dean
Age: 23 years
Ride: Nissan Cero A31
Model: 1991
Car Reg: CI 559
Photo: Krishneel Chand
Being a huge
Nissan fan it was
a dream of Lautoka
lad Irshad Dean to
own one of his own.
The 23-year-old from
Tomuka, Lautoka got
the craze for fast cars
since Primary School.
I used to watch
movies which
pimped fast cars and
that got me all excited
wanting to own one
myself, says Irshad.
Irshad mentions
that he had a soft
spot for Nissan cars
though he had the
respect for all the
different brands.
When I bought
my car, it was a very
simple A31 Cero.
I wanted to convert
this to something
special and extreme-
ly powerful. It took
me around two years
to build it as a Skyro
a Cero with the
heart of a Skyline!
When asked about
the conversion, Ir-
shad said most per-
formance parts were
gifts from his cousins
abroad and his dad is
also in New Zealand
who helps him in
need so he does not
have much of a prob-
lem maintaining his
ride as far as back-up
parts is concerned.
Moving directly
to the car itself: The
car is a Nissan Ce-
ro A31 1991 model
powered by a RB-
20DET motor which
featured in Nissan
Skyline R32 GTS-R.
Some of the good-
ies on include:
Short shift gearbox,
complete 2.5 free
ow HKS exhaust
system,aftermarket
Photos: Courtesy of Krishneel Chand
Story By:
Sharoon Shah
S
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ANIMALS FIJI - MONTHLY FEATURE
Parvo - a deadly disease killing
mans best friend
T
hose cuddly, four-
footed, furry friends
quickly become part
of the family and it is impor-
tant to keep them as healthy
and disease-free as possible.
Since they dont come with
manuals to guide you in their
care, we hope to provide this
missing information with arti-
cles such as these. This news
item is on Parvovirus enteritis
or Parvo!
Parvo is a potentially se-
vere and life-threatening in-
testinal disease of dogs, es-
pecially puppies. It is caused
by a virus which is spread
by contaminated stool (fe-
ces). Dogs become infected
by snifng, licking or eating
stool or anything touched by
it. Once in the dogs body
the virus attacks rapidly divid-
ing cells in the body espe-
cially those in the intestines,
and bone marrow. Destroyed
cells in the intestine are un-
able to absorb nutrients and
uids leading to dehydration
and other debilitating symp-
toms. This diseased intestine
can allow bacteria and toxins
to leak into the bloodstream
causing further serious illness.
Affected bone marrow cells
include white blood cells
infection ghting cells in the
body - leading to a signicant
risk of infection.
The most common symp-
toms include loss of appetite,
vomiting, and foul-smelling,
bloody diarrhea. Signs can
mimic those of other diseases
therefore it is important to
have a veterinarian diagnose
the cause. There is a specic
test of feces for this virus if
your dog shows signs of the
disease.
Hospital treatment is most
often required to save the
puppy with parvovirus infec-
tion despite any owners
best efforts, certain medical
requirements cannot be met
at home. Medications, uids
and nutrition are administered
intravenously providing the
best method of treatment and
support, and to avoid trig-
gering nausea and vomiting.
Survival rates decrease signif-
By Dr JO OLVER
icantly when a dog with par-
vovirus that needs intensive
care is treated at home instead
of in the hospital.
There are no medications
that kill the virus itself. The
virus is passed in the stool for
several days prior to the onset
of symptoms and continues to
do so for up to 2 weeks.
Dogs that survive general-
ly have no permanent damage
or any other long-term nega-
tive effects and commonly
retain an immunity to the vi-
rus for an extended period of
time. However this is not the
preferable way to stimulate
immunity to this disease in
your dog this immunity is
strongly advised to be done
by vaccinations.
Do not allow your unvac-
cinated puppy to contact other
unvaccinated dogs or to be
exposed to feces in the envi-
ronment. Your puppy should
not be exposed to areas where
other dogs defecate often (eg
public areas where dogs wan-
der through) until all puppy
vaccines are complete this
generally is by age 16 20
weeks old.
All puppies should have a
series of vaccinations starting
around 8 10 weeks old which
includes parvovirus. If the
puppys mother has been vac-
cinated, she will pass on im-
munity to the puppies which
protects them until their own
vaccinations start taking ef-
fect. Your veterinarian is the
best source of information on
the vaccination program best
suited for your dog. There
are only two ways of protec-
tion against this disease one
is to allow your dog to get it
and hope they survive it, the
other is to vaccinate. Unvac-
cinated dogs become a senti-
nel for disease and a source
of patients for the veterinar-
ians or they become a sta-
tistic! Remember, the virus
is extremely resistant and can
remain stable in the environ-
ment for years.
Call our ofce to arrange
an appointment to have your
puppies and dogs vaccinated
and checked up on.
Animals Fiji Clinic &
Adoption Centre - A place
where owners can seek treat-
ment for their pets through
our veterinary services as well
as a welfare agency taking
in strays, injured & abused
animals who are treated &
re-homed. We depend on the
generosity of donations to
maintain care of our charges,
provide low cost neutering
(de-sexing) and sponsor vol-
unteers who provide much
needed veterinary services to
Fiji.
The Animals Fiji Nadi
Clinic is on Queens Road (be-
tween McDonalds and Sitar),
Martintar, Nadi.
Phone number is 670-1012
or out of hours emergency
mobile is 993-6647. Our vet-
erinarians are Dr Angus Black
and Dr Jo Olver.
Email: info@animalsji.
org Website: www.animalsji.
org & Facebook: www.face-
book.com/animalsji
Dogs have been mans best friend for centuries and are the most loyal animals found on earth. Photo: GOOGLE.
Dogs getting
treatment for Parvo.
Photos:
SUPPLIED.
TALK BUSINESS
By PRANESH
AMARSEE
Positive stress
Bula everybody. While
watching the Wellington Sev-
ens Rugby I heard the Eng-
land Coach telling his players
at a half time start getting
worried. He repeated this to
his players more and more and
I started to think what he re-
ally meant. Normally we do
not tell people to worry as the
famous saying goes dont
worry be happy, but this was
something unusual. Well after
searching in Google I found
the answer and its called pos-
itive stress.
Chances are that if you
were to ask people what is
positive stress? you would
get only a bewildered look as
a response. After all, we have
always been taught that stress
is bad for our health and that
we should avoid it whenever
possible. Even so, there is in-
deed such a thing as positive
stress and it can have quite a
benecial impact on our lives.
We all know what stress
feels like. It is a certain sen-
sation of nervousness and
tension, sometimes stomach
butteries. It is a reaction
from our bodies as the result
of certain physical, mental or
psychological demands which
are placed on it. That is, more
or less, the denition of the
rst person that identied
stress, Hans Seley. However,
he also categorized it in good
stress and harmful stress. The
positive stress, also called eu-
stress, is a reaction we have
whenever we are faced with
a demand which we can han-
dle. It is a spark that can push
your body to its limits in or-
der to achieve a certain goal.
How does it make you feel?
Anxious? Short of breath?
Physically ill? Or condent,
exhilarated and happy? For
many people in the corporate
world, stress is a bad thing
and a performance inhibiter.
But the reality is that positive
stress fuels performance and
positive stress is what wins
gold medals.
Stress releases adrenaline
into our body and gets out
hearts pumping. Its stress
that gives us that extra boost
of energy we need for the big
race. Stress that helps us crys-
tallise our thoughts and focus
on the task at hand. Elite ath-
letes from across all elds of
sport understand the value of
positive stress and how they
can use it to their advantage.
And guess what? While we
can sometimes get stuck wor-
rying about the daily pres-
sures of life, elite athletes are
pushing physical and psycho-
logical stress boundaries to
get results, break records and
win medals.
Andrew May is a perfor-
mance coach who has spent
the past 15 years working
with elite sportspeople. An-
drew is recognized as a lead-
ing performance and pro-
ductivity expert. For the past
15-years he has worked with
clients including the Austra-
lian Institute of Sport, Aus-
tralias First XI cricket team,
Telstra, Toyota, Lend Lease,
CBA and Suncorp to improve
individual and team perfor-
mance. Andrew delivers key-
note presentations and work-
shops around the world to
clients including Accor, Ernst
& Young, Hewlett-Packard
and CB Richard Ellis. He has
a blog Performance Mat-
ters for The Sydney Morn-
ing Herald. Andrew is the
author of bestsellers Flip the
Switch, Between Jobs, The
Redundancy Survival Guide;
and Switched On Health and
Wellbeing Professionals Vol-
umes 1 & 2.
According to Andrew, here
are seven ways to approach
stress like an Olympian:
1. Put your oxygen mask
on rst
Take care of number one
you. Olympians work hard for
what they have and they look
after 1. Eat healthily, exercise
often and take time out to re-
charge. Build strategic recov-
ery into your life and develop
your health and tness. No
excuses. Just do it.
2. Paint a clear picture.
Athletes train their minds and
use visual imagery or visu-
alisation. Visualisation trains
athletes to imagine the ideal
performance and this strength-
ens the neural network. The
brain doesn't distinguish be-
tween a real activity and an
imagined one. The Oarsome
foursome used visualisation to
help them win the gold medal
in Atlanta. To apply this in
the corporate world, if you're
worried about hosting a team
meeting, take ten-minutes to
imagine how you'd like the
meeting to go. What would
you do/say/think/act? Picture
yourself nailing it.
3. Talk to yourself. Okay,
so while I don't go around ev-
ery day saying "Wow, you're
amazing, Andy!" or "Looking
good, hotshot" (well, not all
the time anyway), I denitely
use positive self-talk in times
of need. Talking positively to
yourself in situations when
you're feeling stressed or anx-
ious can help you relax, calm
down and put things into per-
spective. So next time you're
on the treadmill pushing for
another kilometre, or cram-
ming to meet a deadline, tell
yourself "I can do this!"
4. Get the right balance.
Athletes overcome increas-
ing high-pressure situations
by developing coping mecha-
nisms. The more pressure you
face, the more coping mecha-
nisms you will need in order
to counterbalance the effects
of stress. Managing stress in
a proactive manner not only
helps get through periods of
high stress but also helps you
to exceed expectations.
For an elite athlete coping
mechanisms can be anything
from kicking a ball hundreds
of times a day to making sure
they have time out with family
and friends. For you and me it
can be anything from meditat-
ing on the way home on the
bus to practicing a presenta-
tion before you deliver it.
5. Set goals. You knew
this was coming. All athletes
use planning and goal-setting
to help them achieve great
things. So why should you be
any different? Sit down with
your mentor, or somebody
you respect and look up to,
and make a plan for what you
want to achieve. Where do
you want to be next month?
Next year? What are the
things you would like to do?
Put it down on paper and un-
derstand where you're going
and why it's important to you.
6. Develop a great sup-
port team. The world's best
athletes and sporting teams
have the world's best support
teams. Having a good support
network can be the differ-
ence between make or break
in times of extreme stress.
Whether its friends and fam-
ily, close co-workers or even
your dog, having people who
will back you up and be there
to take some of the pressure
away is crucial. Remember,
you're not in this alone. There
are always people who can
help. Don't be a hero. Just ask.
7. Celebrate the win. How
often do you high-ve your-
self after closing a big sale or
at the end of a high-pressure
project? In the sporting world,
it's not uncommon for athletes
to self-congratulate at the
completion of, or even during,
a tough goal.
But, in the corporate world
we have forgotten the art of
celebration and congratulat-
ing ourselves on milestones,
goals and even just plain hard
work. Reward and recognise
yourself and take time out to
reect on your success. Sa-
vour it. You earned it.
How do you use stress to
help you perform? When-
ever you feel positive stress,
you are encouraged to act.
Whether this means growing,
ghting, changing or adapting
is up to you, but you will not
remain complacent. In other
words, positive stress makes
us do things we would not
normally do. It gives us that
extra impulse to take risks
such as asking your boss for
a promotion or inviting that
girl you like on a date. It can
be argued that life would not
only be much more boring,
but also less lled with ac-
complishments if we did not
experience positive stress.
From a medical standpoint, a
lack of stress can actually be
potentially damaging because
it causes boredom and lack of
motivation. This can lead to
unfullled desires and wasted
potential. In turn, these issues
can put people at risk of de-
pression and problems with
low self esteem. That is why
positive stress is good for us.
It stimulates our bodies and
helps us take that extra step
further. God bless Nadi, Fiji.
Nadis Rusiate Matarerega, left, under
stress to perform against Suva at
Prince Charles Park.
Photo: SHALENDRA PRASAD.
ADVERTISEMENT
HUMAN RESOURCES
Recognise that prot is
in your people - Part 3
By SUNILA KARAN
T
his comes from great
leadership, from rec-
ognizing the essen-
tial asset that your people are,
and the direct link between
your people and your bottom-
line prots.
Sadly, however, all too
many companies fail to see
this obvious connection and
under invest in their staff.
They fail to train and de-
velop their staff, and fail to get
the best from them.
Its fair to say in many or-
ganizations more is spent on
the printing and stationery
budget than on the people de-
velopment budget to get the
most from their staff, which in
my opinion is lunacy.
Especially when evidence
is so overwhelming that the
more investment, time, and
development which is put into
people, the greater the results
and the prots that come into
an organization.
It has been found that staff
who received formal training
are up to 230% more produc-
tive than untrained colleagues
working in the same role.
(Source: Smith A., 2001, Re-
turn on Investment (ROI) :
Research Readings, NCVER).
Another study showed
that the medium revenue per
head of employees who had 5
or fewer days of training per
year was $137,913, compared
to $210,380 from those who
had more than 5 days of train-
ing. (Source: A joint research
project by not for prot re-
search organization APQC
and IBM and Workforce Man-
agement.)
Companies spend small
fortunes trying to attract and
recruit the best staff and sin-
gle out candidates who are
well trained and have shown
a keenness to develop them-
selves. So they clearly value
training when recruiting, but
dont seem to like it so much
when they have to pay for it
for their employees.
Look at any companys
P&L account and youll see
that salary costs are often one
of the largest (if not the larg-
est) expense, yet once an em-
ployee comes on board, many
companies fail to continue
investing in their staff, to take
their performance to a higher
level.
When I mention this to
managers, occasionally I re-
ceive the response of, What
if I train my staff and they
leave?
My answer to them is,
What if you dont train them
and they stay!
Failing to invest in your
staff is economic and business
suicide.
Without people develop-
ment, and investing in your
staff, the direction of your
company will be downwards.
In a garden which isnt main-
tained, weeds will grow and
develop and in people, bad
habits occur and complacency
creeps in.
The right type of people
development, which works
on employees attitudes and
mind-set, breaks down limit-
ing beliefs, focuses employees
on the goals of the company,
and reinvigorates them and
makes them customer-centric,
has a massive payback for
your company.
80 local Air Pacic aircraft engineers
and engineering support staff have
completed an intensive Airbus training
and familiarisation course, permitting
them to operate and certify the A330
aircraft. Photo: AIR PACIFIC.
BUSINESS NEWS
Chamber plans
awards night
By SHALENDRA PRASAD
NCCI board-members during the rst meeting of the year at Nadi Downtown Hotel. Sitting from left are Lydia ONeill, Dr
Ram Raju (president) and Elizabeth Maki. Standing from left are Vijendra Pillay, Samuel Shankar, Shalendra Prasad,
Gary Raniga, Shaneel Nandan, Anand Achari and Commander Semi Koroilavesau. Photo: MARGARET NAQIRI.
The Nadi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (NCCI) is con-
tinuing to lead by example.
Already dubbed as the most vibrant of all business cham-
bers in the country by Minister for Commerce Aiyaz Sayed-
Khaiyum and Commerce Commission chairman Dr Narendra
Reddy, NCCI is now embarking on launching its rst ever an-
nual awards event another rst for a chamber in Fiji.
Chamber business awards are quite popular overseas (Dis-
trict and National level) and I have taken the initiative to orga-
nize one for the rst time, NCCI president Dr Ram Raju said.
This obviously requires your support and participation as
this belongs to you and targeting mainly the SMEs (small and
medium enterprises).
Dr Raju has outlined the various awards categories (as listed
below) for members to look at and also make valuable inputs
for the inaugural awards.
FNU has agreed to provide expertise (partial sponsorship)
as scrutinizers or judges and a few companies have pledged
support already, Dr Raju added.
If all goes well, this function will be held later this year. I
have also outlined below sponsorship proposal that you could
perhaps help me in securing one or two. Feel free to pass this
information to potential sponsors and do let me know if more
details are needed by anyone.
The following categories are outlined:
1. Best emerging business
2. Excellence in service delivery
3. Excellence in retailing
4. Entrepreneur of the year
5. Excellence in entertainment business
6. Excellence in marketing
7. Excellence in exporting
8. Best restaurant of the year
9. Most improved business house
10. Businessman of the year
11. Businesswoman of the year
12. Best tourist tour operator
13. Best performance in primary industry
There is likely to be three more categories or we may trim
it down depending on sponsors and response from FNU, Dr
Raju said.
The awards target the SMEs whose roles and achievements
are to be recognized, appreciated and honored as well. They
(SMEs) will feel proud of their role who are otherwise often
neglected.
The awards night rewards excellence in businesses and cel-
ebrates and recognizes the greater value it brings to Nadi and
Fiji as a whole.
The awards will highlight excellence in business and up-
lift the image setting a benchmark for everyone. It helps the
employees to see the value of their work and celebrate their
success story.
Members of NCCI will be invited to apply for any of the
awards betting them. It will allow members to identify their
business strengths and review their performance in a bid to ex-
cel them on a regular basis.
An awards event of this nature will uplift the professional
image, morale and spirit. Following the ooding disaster of
2009 and devastatingly much more worse in 2012, the business
community in Nadi have shown great courage, wisdom and
spirit, persevered and worked really hard with rm conviction.
And despite withstanding losses yet again, the vast majority
chose to stay and rebuild their shattered businesses and lives.
The resilience displayed once again is truly admirable.
We are witnessing a resurgence of hope and glory fuelled
by condence in this township to do business as usual.
None of the SMEs mind you had any form of ood insur-
ance cover and all of them deserve to be recognized and praised.
They have brought back smiles and hope to thousands of
employees who are largely dependent on hourly and weekly
wages.
We have close to 250 members with diverse range of busi-
nesses and I feel this Awards event will be an opportune time
to thank everyone who has made Nadi proud once again, Dr
Raju concluded.
The details of the sponsorship are as follows: Major or Gold
sponsorship $10K which gives you naming rights, widest and
maximum publicity hence mileage. Co-sponsorship (Silver) is
$5K that still gives you naming rights NCCI / Business Awards.
Prize only is $1K (Bronze).
Attorney-General and minister for commerce Aiyaz Sayed-
Khaiyum, right, shares a light moment with Dr Ram Raju in
an earlier forum. Photo: SHALENDRA PRASAD.
ADVERTISEMENT
KIDS CORNER
BUSINESS NOTICE BOARD
SPORTS
From villager to national rugger
Ulaiasi Lawavou talks about his ups and downs with The Jet
By VARANISESE NASILASILA
By VARANISESE
NASILASILA
We would try our best not to miss out on
any of itwed put the T.V and engine at the
back of the truck and drove up hill to get a
better reception, just to watch the live perfor-
mance from the Hong Kong 7s, Jope Tavu-
cuilagi recalls about the good old days with
son, national sevens rep, Ulaiasi Lawavou.
Being brought up in the village, national
sevens rep Ulaiasi Lawavou started commit-
ting himself to rugby at a young age.
I had left school after completing class
eight at Nawaicoba Public School, and start-
ed playing for the village team, Nahehevia
Rugby Club, Lawavou said.
Hailing from Vunamoli Village in the
highlands of Nadi, Lawavou started playing
for the Nahehevia 15-a-side team at the age
of fteen and later joined the Nadi Rugby
team for ve years. From there, he went to
play for the Nadroga rugby team.
It took a lot of commitment and sacri-
ce to play rugby at this level, and Im really
thankful to my family for their support and
understanding, he said.
For any upcoming rugby player, Lawa-
vou had to make a tough decision, switching
from 15s to 7s.
It was a huge step for me to play sevens
rugby for the very rst time at the Goldmine
7s in Vatukoula for the Western Force Police
Team, he said.
Nadroga Coach, Esala Nauga saw the po-
tential in Lawavou and asked him if he had
any interest of joining the national team.
I gave him a choice to choose whether he
had wanted to try out for the Fiji team and he
said he did, he wanted to try off with sevens
rst. So I told him to go for the tness test,
Nauga said.
It was from there, Lawavou had started his
rugby career for the national team after being
selected to be one of the players representing
the country at the Gold Coast 7s, last year.
Proud father, Jope Tavucuilagi said he was
really happy to hear of his sons success in the
sport he loved the most.
I cried with joy when I heard that Ulai
had been chosen to the team, being the rst
gentlemen in our village to represent Fiji, he
has made us really proud - I knew that all the
sacrice we had made together has paid out.
I remember when Ulai had left school
at a young age, I felt like I couldnt do any-
thing much so instead I took him to all rugby
tournaments. From here I think his desire for
rugby had been developed, he said.
Ever since he was a kid, he had always had
that dream of wanting to be on that eld, to
be watched and most importantly to represent
his country, especially in the mother of all 7s
tournaments.
To be chosen to represent Fiji at the Hong
Kong 7s for the rst time is a dream come true
for me, I would like to thank the Lord and the
coaches for believing in me, it wasnt easy as
we also had other talented players and to be
chosen amongst one of them is a privilege,
said Lawavou.
Now married to Ivamere Lewanitoga La-
wavou, the father of two plans to improve
on his skills and will do his best to bring the
Hong Kong 7s trophy back home.
We are going there not underestimating
any team, as they will also try and win this
special tournament, but we will play to the
best of our ability and try to stay positive,
he said.
Ulaiasi with his eldest daughter
Jokaveti, 8, in Nadi Town. Photo:
JOSEPHINE NAVULA.
Defending champs
retain title
Fiji Bitter Nawaka 7s
ended its 26th tournament
successfully, after defending
champions Westeld defeated
Tale Babas at the Cup nal,
31-7, in Prince Charles Park,
Nadi on Saturday, March 2.
It was a tough battle be-
tween the two teams, but
Westeld secured their victory
after scoring ve tries, leaving
Tale Babas with one.
Westeld President,
Ponijese Lou said they have
been condent from the be-
ginning.
We were taking one match
as it comes as we are the de-
fending champions for Nawa-
ka 7s, we were condent from
the start from day 1 that we
will retain our title.
Tale Babas coach Iliesa
Delasau said they have been
preparing for a long time.
We have been nurturing
players from the Milo Kaji
competition right up to the
Fiji Secondary School Deans
competition than they make it
up to the squad, he said.
Meanwhile, Fiji Bitter
Nawaka 7s president Mataiasi
Nabau said the tournament
was a success.
It has been a great and
successful tournament, as the
organizer of the tournament
we are very happy with the
crowd turnout and the number
of players participating. We
would like to thank Pacic
Beverages for the sponsorship
this year.
In other nals, all the way
from Sigatoka, Ratu Filise
defeated Koroba, 15-5 to win
the shield title. Bowl nal was
dominated by Fiji Police, 27-
5, against Yamacia. Red Rock
won the plate nal against
Western Police, 17-7.
SPORTS
Cricket Fiji has selected its
nal 14 players that will repre-
sent the country to the World
Cricket League Division 7
Tournament in Botswana from
the 4th to the 14th of April.
The squad consists of 10
players that travelled to Auck-
land earlier in the year for the
East Asia Pacic Mens T20
World Cup Qualier where
Cricket Fiji announce squad
the side nished 3rd.
Cricket Fiji High Perfor-
mance Manager, Joe Rika
who is also in the touring
squad says that the squad have
been together since November
last year and look forward to
the all important tournament
in April.
The top 2 teams from the
competition will qualier to
compete in the Division 6
tournament which will be
played in Jersey later in the
year.
The side will have to co-
captains that will take the
side and is full of experienced
players which will be of great
benet to the side during the
competition Fiji Coach, Joeli
Mateyawa.
The Fiji squad will de-
part our shores on the 27th
of March and will get a week
to prepare before competition
begins.
The 4 Military personal
that were denied visas to com-
pete in the Auckland compe-
tition have been selected and
will add that extra re power
in the batting and bowling as-
pects of the team.
Its great to have the boys
in the side, they bring a lot of
energy and experience with
them and Im sure theyll do
well when given the opportu-
nity said Mateyawa.
The 14 players selected
for WCL 7; Colin Rika, Greg
Browne, Iniasi Cakacaka,
Sekove Ravoka, Viliame Ya-
baki, Joji Bulabalavu, Jone
Seuvou (Co-Captain), Joe
Rika (Co-Captain), Samuela
Draunivudi, Vuiyasawa Ma-
teiwaqa, Tukana Tavo, Kitio-
ne Tavo, Jikoi Kida, Sevuni-
vola Baba. Reserves
Eric Browne, Tomasi
Nawaciono, Noa Acawei, Seci
Tuiwai.
PRESS RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE
After a lapse of ten years, Sikhs from around Fiji turned up in
numbers to compete at the Sikh North-West Tournament at the
Christian Hall grounds in Nadi, on Sunday, March 10.
Fiji Sikh Association President, Bayant Singh said he is very
grateful to the people who have worked hard to make it a suc-
cessful tournament.
I take this opportunity to thank Nadi Khalsa Association for
successfully hosting the tournament, Mr Singh said.
Special thanks to Ravin Ray Singh, Rashmir Singh and
Gurdip Singh for their timeless efforts in getting everything
organized in time. I also thank Fiji Sikh Football Association
executives for their support and running the tournament suc-
cessfully.
Special thanks to the grounds committee for kindly allow-
ing us to use the school grounds and premises for the one-day
event. The Sikh Association of Fiji members also supported
throughout the day and the Lautoka Sikh Temple management
also offered their support and blessings, Mr said.
The Tournament ended with Tavua in rst place, Nadi sec-
ond, followed by Ba in third and Nadroga in fourth place.
The results of the tournament are as follows; Game 1; Ba
4-0 Nadroga, Game 2; Nadi 0-2 Tavua, Game 3; Tavua 3-1 Ba,
Game 4; Nadi 6-0 Nadroga, Game 5;Tavua 3-0 Nadroga, Game
6; Ba 0-1 Nadi.
The tournament was hosted by Nadi Khalsa Association.
Sikh soccer revives
after a decade
By JOSEPHINE NAVULA
By JOSEPHINE NAVULA
Nadi Andhra FC start season on a high
Newly promoted super-premier side Nadi Andhra FC started their rst local
league clash on a high after beating Qeleloa Youth 2-1 during the opening
rounds on Sunday, March 10. Photo: SHALENDRA PRASAD.
Youngsters stamp a mark in Local League
Young players came out
to prove themselves as the
Nadi Football Local League
was launched today at Prince
Charles Park, Nadi.
The Allan Thomas Man-
agement Services (ATMS)
sponsored league kick started
today with three matches in
Ground two, today.
Nadi FA Local League Di-
rector, Mohammed Nasir said
the game is a good opportu-
nity for the young players to
showcase their talents and ca-
pabilities.
The matches have been
really good, and this is where
the Nadi Football Associa-
tion selects the best players to
represent the district side, he
said.
Foodhall Gandhi Lionz de-
feated Kings Football in the
opening match, 2-1, followed
by Aries Warriors victory over
AIMS Rental Navakai, 2-1.
In the nal match of the
day, newly promoted Nadi
Andhra won against Qeleloa
Youth, 2-1.
Nadi Andhra also won
the best dressed team title
earlier today at the opening
ceremony. Nadi FA Patron
and Executive Chairman for
Jacks of Fiji, Dilip Khatri was
chief guest at the function.
His company is also the ma-
jor sponsor of the Nadi district
side this year.
Nadi Football Local league
consists of Super Premier and
Premier teams, with a total of
25 clubs.
ATMS Australia Eels are
the defending champions for
the Super Premier Division,
whereas, Nadi Andhra who
the Premier title are now in
the top division.
Meanwhile, two Nadi foot-
ball reps, Amani Makoe and
Eliki Ravusai played for the
Foodhall Gandhi Lionz.
Local League director
Mohammed Nasir
The Outrigger on the La-
goon Fiji have joined forces
again as major sponsors of the
Nadroga Rugby Union for the
2013 season.
As major sponsors of the
team the Nadroga Stallions
will be known as the Outrig-
ger on the Lagoon Fiji Nad-
roga Stallions.
The ofcial naming rights
ceremony was held on Thurs-
day 21st March, 2013 at the
resort in Korotogo.
Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji sponsors stallions
Representatives of Tappoo
Fiji Limited as the ofcial
merchandise sponsors of the
champion side was present at
the launch with the other mi-
nor sponsors which include
Presidio Capital, Coastal
Rentals, Maui Bay, KBL Bus-
es, Geckos Trucking and Siga-
toka Electric.
Outrigger on the Lagoon
Fiji General Manager Peter
Hopgood stated that, we are
so excited to seal the naming
rights deal again this year with
our champion team the Nad-
roga Stallions.
The Nadroga Stallions en-
capsulate the Outrigger on the
Lagoon Fiji values of team-
work, family and hard work
and we are very proud that the
team will carry our name and
through this our values, Mr
Hopgood added.
Nadroga Rugby Union
President Tiko Matawalu said,
The Nadroga Rugby Union
players, ofcials and fans
are grateful to the Outrigger
on the Lagoon Fiji for the
sponsorship that will ensure
another successful season for
the Stallions. We look forward
to continuing this partnership
with the Outrigger because it
is denitely a winning combi-
nation for Nadroga.
Visiting club impressed with local talents
Vanuatus Amicale Foot-
ball Club received tough com-
petition for their O-League
build-up playing against local
teams.
In their rst encounter the
visitors which was laced with
international players edged
Nadi 2-1 on their home turf on
Sunday, March 10.
A foul by Nadis Amani
Makoe on Amicale FCs Jack
Whitney proved costly as
Amicale FCs Pape Gueye did
not waste time to kick in the
opener for the visitors min-
utes before half time. Amicale
FC lead 1-0 at breather.
Pape Gueye scored again in
the rst 13 minutes of the sec-
ond half to extend their lead,
2-0.
The Green Machine
bounced back after Uraia Loki
scored a goal in the last few
minutes of the game and the
jetsetters applied great pres-
sure on the visitors before full-
time.
Amicale FC Technical Ad-
viser, Robert Calvo said they
will need to work on their
speed after todays match.
By SHALENDRA
PRASAD
By JOSEPHINE
NAVULA
We will need to improve
on the speed of the game; we
were playing a bit slow today.
But we will need to increase
the tempo of our games. But
overall, it was a good game.
We were awarded a penalty in
the rst half, and were lucky
to score early in the rst sec-
ond half, he said.
Jacks Nadi team made a
good comeback at the second
half, but it was not enough un-
til the nal whistle.
It was not easy to keep
control of the game but we
had a good and successful rst
half, Calvo said.
Nadi FA head-coach, Ka-
mal Swamy said the game was
a good exposure for his boys.
It was the great experi-
ence for the Nadi team, as the
young boys came out to play
with good performance, he
said.
In their second clash
against the National Under-20
side, the Amicale FC tasted
their rst loss 2-1 but regained
condence in the nal friendly
against Lautoka, winning 2-0.
The side meets Solomon
Islands champions, Solomon
Warriors in their rst match at
the Oceania League.
Nadis Ratu Veresa Toma, right, in action against
the visiting Vanuatu side Amicale FC at Prince
Charles Park on Sunday, March 10. Photo:
SHALENDRA PRASAD.
The visiting Amicale FC of Vanuatu. Photo:
SHALENDRA PRASAD.
The home side Jacks Nadi. Photo: SHALENDRA
PRASAD.
Boxers return
to the ring
Visiting Australia based Filipino boxer Ray Orlate gets a
taste of Opeti Tagis hard punches during their main bout
ght at Prince Charles Park on Saturday, March 16. Photo:
VARANISESE NASILASILA.
Fijis Opeti Tagi lost to a strong ght against Australia based
Filipino boxer Ray Orlate at Prince Charles Park in Nadi on
Saturday, March 16.
Orlate said it was a good ght compared to the last one he
fought to local champ Junior Farzan Ali.
Tagi is pretty much a good ghter, this would have to be the
toughest ght compared to my ght against Farzan when I came
earlier on to ght here, he said.
Orlate started strong and was a tough opponent throughout
the 12 rounds of ght for 31-year-old Tagi.
Tagi fell in the ring three times during the ght.
Tagi said it was a good ght and he accepted the defeat and
plans to improve from it in ghts to come.
Meanwhile in other ghts of the Naidiri Boxing Promotion,
Napoleon Tamaaepeon knocked out Alipate Nagata in the rst
round, Franco Fraser won by 3rd round technical knockout
against Iasia Raqila, Ronald Naidu defeated Waisale Ratu on
points, Ravneet Ton Ton lost to Ram Sami on points, Sachin
Mudliar won against Azmat Manna on points, Junior Manna de-
feated Arjun Kumar on points while Junior Naivogo and Junior
Maku fought to a draw.
Meanwhile the boxing promoters had to y in Orlate from
Australia after Junior Farzan Ali claimed to be injured and unt
to meet Tagi in the main bout.

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