Wansolwara_Issue 2, 2014

Volume 19. No. 2 July, 2014.

ISSN 1029-7316

FEATURE

PHOTO ESSAY

Sex workers’ realities

Rugby moments in frames

Pages 12-13

Pages 8-9

Clear laws crucial

State silent on proposed body Academic calls for explicit distinctions in Constitution by

PRIYA CHAND

THERE was still no word on the delay in setting up the Accountability and Transparency Commission.

Questions sent to the Attorney-General’s Office remained unanswered.

Lawyer Richard Naidu said it was now 14 months since the Government made the committment to set up the commission.

“Those who promise us transparency must act transparently, regardless of what the words of the law are and this is what is lacking in Fiji,” he said. “Rule of law begins with legitimate laws – that is, laws which are enacted by the people, through their representatives in a parliament.

Laws thrust on people by decree are not legitimate.”

Meanwhile, the Supervisor of Elections Office has clarified that there is no conflict of interest in the Attorney-General being the Elections Minister because the Elections Minister has no powers to interfere with the decisions of his office.

Saneem said the minister’s only role was to facilitate in terms of logistical support, for example the provision of vehicles and public buildings.

Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum is also the general secretary of a political party.

Several parties have called for Sayed-Khaiyum to step down as Elections Minister.

A senior citizen gets a run through of the new voting process at the mock polling station at the Fiji Showcase last week. The mock polling booths set up by the Supervisor of Election’s Office have proven to be very popular awareness tools.

Source: ELECTIONS OFFICE. by

PRIYA CHAND

CLEAR distinction between the role and duties of political parties and the government before and during a general election must be laid out in Fiji’s Constitution, says politics academic Dr Steven Ratuva.

This should be included in the supreme law of the land so as to address issues of conflict of interest and perceptions of abuse of privileges, he said.

The political sociologist based at Auckland University’s Center for Pacific Studies was responding to the criticism by aspiring parliamentarians that it would be an unfair election because of the Bainimarama government’s refusal to step down and allow a caretaker government to govern in the lead-up to polling at on September 17.

“This of course is not good for democracy because parties can misuse their privileged positions

to benefit themselves,” Dr Ratuva said.

Lawyer Richard Naidu said a caretaker government was “necessary to stop the government in power from using the people’s resources to get an unfair advantage over its opponents”.

However, Dr Ratuva said while a caretaker government was a logical one, the current political dynamics made it very difficult.

“One of the few ways it can do this is to give way to

a caretaker arrangement of sorts but how that caretaker government can guarantee stability before the election was another issue,” he posed.

He stressed that democracy was not just a goal but also a process.

“Even after the election, democratisation must continue to ensure that people’s participation in the affairs of the country is realized,” he said.

The role of CSOs and the media were even more cru-

cial in such circumstances, Dr Ratuva added.

“In Fiji’s case where this happens, there are certain things we can do like in the case of CSOs like Transparency International which should act as public eyes to ensure accountability, while the media should be more vigilant in identifying where conflict of interest is and we should make use of the decree on whistle-blowing to bring those responsible to task,” he said.

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News

News

Business is the solution for youth unemployment

Youth call for clean polls

by

‘ANA UILI

INVOLVING young people in business was the way forward to tackle the problems of youth’s unemployment in Tonga.

An analysis report of children, women and youth in Tonga by UNICEF showed that unemployed youths accounted for 43 per cent of the total unemployment in 2003.

Executive Director of Tonga National Youth Congress (TNYC) Vanessa Lolohea said the unemployment rate for young people in Tonga had in-

creased over the years.

“There are a large amount of young people in Tonga including high school dropouts and graduates that are currently unemployed,” she said.

“To them involving in business is a big step so they often feel discouraged in starting something of their own, but right now engaging them in business is probably one of the last resorts to help provide jobs for those who don’t have one.”

Lolohea said the New Zealand Aid funded a project through outreach programmes. She said this was a

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breakthrough because it introduced young people to the idea of youth in business.

“The project was production of coconut virgin oil and young people from all around the country were to form a group in their district and we will help them by providing the facilities and equipment to make the product,” she said.

Matelita Houa, Designer and Marketing Officer of the project said about 30-40 youth groups had joined the program.

YOUTH activists in the Solomon Islands have started raising awareness on the need for a clean general election in October this year.

The Youth Against Corruption (YAC) and Transparency Solomon Islands have started advocating for clean election campaigns by teaching the public about corruption, bribery

CHARLENE LANYON

EXPERTS believe internet users in the Pacific need to be careful when using the web to avoid being targets of cybercrimes.

Cybercrimes such as fraud and hacking into private information are online dangers that people are exposed to when they use the internet.

Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and NumbersOceania Vice President Save Vocea said the availability of smartphones and other devices made it easier for people to connect to the internet.

He added that most times users are not aware that they are at risk when they are using the internet.

“My worry has been that there will always be subscribers of the Internet who unknowingly place themselves in vulnerable situations, perhaps through lax user habits or just not knowing, and become victims of cybercrime,” said Vocea.

“It’s not only about being knowledgeable, but ensuring that software operating systems for devices connected to a network is up to date and known vulnerabilities have been patched.”

Pacific Computer Emergency Response Team General Manager Patrick Queet believes that the small number of Pacific islanders who have easy access to internet makes cybercrimes in the Pacific a small risk.

He added that the isolation of the Pacific islands also influenced its internet security.

“Our seclusion has always been our greatest defence,” he said. He said most cybercrimes usually happened in developed nations that had the equipment and software to carry out the crimes .

Queet said Fiji and the rest of the Pacific Islands were still de2

Uni Tongans mull over more social events by

Statistics collected from Norton Superannuation CREDIT: ion.com

veloping their information technology, and even lacked qualified technicians.

Skilled personnel, he noted. was in high demand in developed countries as well.

Queet said the lack of security

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professionals was also an issue.

Meanwhile, Vocea said internet users must ensure their safety when using the internet.

“Whist the technical stakeholders may have their act together in securing their net-

works, I think there is still a gap in raising enough awareness to the general end-user community about secure online activity and trust in the systems,” he said.

He added that the media could also help in creating more under-

by

ANA ‘UILI

INTRODUCING more wsocial activities would help Tongan students’ to feel at home, a Tongan Student Association (TongaSA) representative said.

Almost 200 Tongan students study at USP Laucala Campus.

Secretary of TongaSA Malakai Potolaka said that the new initiative will alleviate students’ homesickness.

“At the current moment the association is trying its best to help better students learning and we believe that in order to excel in school students must feel at home first,” he said.

“Introducing more social activities such as social nights and sports day would encourage students to participate in the association so that we can work together in finding ways to help them with their learning.”

According to Potolaka, there was also a plan to invite guest speakers from different cultures during the functions organized to share their experiences with students.

“We are planning to invite doctorate students from different countries in the Pacific to talk to students and motivate them to study,” he said.

“Sharing their experiences would hopefully assist students in rearranging their priorities to know why they are here in the first place and to fulfill their personal goals.”

and how a fair and just election should be run.

YAC founder Jasper Anisi said were encouraging citizens to participate in the electoral process, to vote wisely, and to report corrupt practices.

He said they were helping to ensure people understood the electoral system and its importance to the people.

He said people who engaged in this initiative were

those who wanted to see change in Solomon Islands.

YAC has, through a network of Youth at Work Initiative in partnership with South Pacific Commission, had recruited 170 youths.

He said as part of their campaign the organization also created a social network Solomon Islands for Clean and Fair Election where members could discuss the elements of a free and fair election.

Chief Executive Officer of TSI Daniel Fenua admitted reports of corruption and bribery were on the rise as the election drew closer.

He said they have received report from a client that an intending candidate from Honiara constituency was buying voters’ registration identification cards.

“Our client reported he went to seek assistance from the intending candidate but he was told to pre-

sent his ID card before assistance is given,” he said.

Fenua said at the moment they were following up with the client to willingly give details of intending candidate buying voter’s registration card.

The scheme was believed to be an attempt to secure more votes. Former Prime Minister and opposition Member of Parliament for East Choiseu, Manasseh Sogavare has called on Par-

PRIYA CHAND

A PERSON can fulfill their ambitions and still be connected with their culture, says visiting indigenous Australian artist Richard Jameson.

“You can move away and be whoever you want to be, but still be connected to your home,” said the filmmaker and photographer who opened a week-long photo at TappooCity.

The exhibition, titled “Grounded – A modern ethnographic study of Indigenous Australians, comprises of images of inspirational indigenous people in Australia that were taken in juxtaposition to the popular photography of the colonial days.

To demonstrate his subjects’ connection to culture or homeland, they were all photographed barefoot.

Jameson shared his stories and experience as a guest speaker during the UU204 Pacific Worlds lecture this week.

Assistant Lecturer of Pacific Studies Jacki Leota

said they were fortunate that Jameson’s visit to Fiji coincided well with their unit presentations.

“Our students are interested in the way in which Richard is able to use the medium of film and photography to tell the stories of the aboriginal people, histories affected by colonialism and also present day issues and harnessing the best of what the world can give us and taking out from cultures as we go,” she said.

“Those stories can live again, that we belong to, and we can integrate them with the best of the modern world and feel pride and be inspired by these stories that can help us move into the 21 century.”

Student Jone Tikoicovo said he was very much inspired by Jameson’s passion.

“He has got a history and he is proud to bring in those past experiences, and incorporate it to the present and reflect it to art,” he said.

“I am inspired by his use of photography to pass important messages to people and encourage them.”

liament to amend the Electoral Act so that they could outlaw the collection of voter registration cards.

Fenua said TSI would maintain strong visibility during the elections and his his team would engage directly with youths to disseminate information to the public.

He added that corruption was everybody’s business.

Parliament will dissolve on Seotember 8.

USP halts leader’s attempt to ban Deo

Art shows ‘grounded’ link to culture

Tongan students chill at Point Cruz, Laucala Campus

Be alert online by

CHARLES KADAMA

by

Richard Jameson beside a poster of one of his images at his ‘Grounded’ exhibition in TappooCity, Suva, last week

PRIYA CHAND

AN attempt by a USP student leader to ban an aspiring parliamentarian from the university’s Laucala Bay campus was immeditaley dismissed by the Vice Chancellor’s office.

“USP upholds the values of academic freedom and freedom of speech and, therefore, neither Roshika Deo nor any other political party representatives are banned from campus,” said Deputy Vice Chancellor Doctor Esther Williams.

She was responding to queries over the USP itaukei Student Association president Tagitagivanua Kepa’s intention to ban cebook positings that independent candidate Roshika Deo be banned.

Kepa had posted that students should stay clear of politicians following a student’s scholarship being terminated. At the time the termination was alleged to have been linked to him doing volunteer work for Deo instead of attending class.

The student, Tamanirarama Seruiraduvatu, has since had his scholarship reinstated following a public outcry.

Kepa had said he would request security to ban Deo from campus. But DVC Williams reassured this would not be permitted. “However, the USP campuses and facilities are intended to support the students and staffs of the University and all visitors are politely requested to report to security and get approval for entry, she said.

5,000 new police officers for election by

KELERA SERELINI

The Fiji Police Force is expected to recruit close to 5,000 police constables to provise security during the general election in September.

Police Public Relations Officer, Inspector Atunaisa Sokomuri said the need to recruit more followed the decision to have only one day for polling, which meant a need for more polling stations.

“This naturally means an increase in the number of police officers manning them,” he said.

These new recruits will assist regular officers in providing security during elections.

“The Police headquarters calculated that in order to properly facilitate the security of the elections an added manpower of about 5,000 officers is to be recruited for the elections.

The new recruits will be con-

tracted to work for only three months.

“They will be recruited as special constables, trained and work for three months before they are demobilized after election,” said Inspector Sokomuri.

“Their primary role is to assist the regular officers in providing security during election.”

The Fiji Military Forces has confirmed it will not be involved in any capacity with the opera-

tions of General Election.

“In order for the election to be fair, using the military during election will not be a wise decision, especially in the eyes of the outside world,” Mr Sokomuri said.

Military Commander, Brigadier General, Mosese Tikoitoga had earlier said that his military personnel would not in any way be involved during elections.

“I have disclosed earlier that the

provision of security or any other activities concerning the elections will be the sole responsibility of the Police Force,” he said.

National Federation Party Leader, Dr Biman Prasad welcomed Brigadier Tikoitoga’s assuranc.

“We welcome his assurance that the military will stay apolitical and stay neutral during the upcoming election and respect the result of the upcoming elections later this year,” Mr Prasad said.

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Editorial

Democracy’s many pillars

“

News

‘Viral’ success for 4FJ

‘the government must fathom that the media is not its enemy but an ally and is playing its role as the ‘watch dog’ of society’

”

PRIYA CHAND Editor KEY democratic principles include government transparency and accountability as vital ingredients for the prevalence of democracy, resulting in enhancing trust and civic engagement. The media on the other hand is like a bridge - connecting the two.

Elections – obviously a fundamental pillar of democracy - is not just fair but inspiring when voters have the information they need.

This inspiration gets people involved and they feel their efforts can make a difference.

The importance of all this is not new, nor confined to any one country. Texas senator Judith Zaffrini said: “An open government is critical to an informed public, and an informed public is critical to democracy.”

Money is the first thing that

comes to mind when questions on transparency and accountability emerge. The responsibility to clarify these issues to the public lies with institutions such as the Auditor General’s Office which publishes audited reports, thus helping make government departments accountable to the people it – in theory – serve.

In Fiji however, the office has not published its audit report since 2006, justifiably raising concerns on how money is being spent, by whom and on what.

The Fijian public does not know the precise income of Ministers; with the only known element of information is that their income is linked to the portfolios they hold.

However, recently, the Fiji First party revealed the salaries of its members, which are inclusive of a few ministers. Hence, it’s a step towards transparency.

Whether the revealed salaries were audited or not remains a question.

The answer to what government transparency and accountability has to do with an ordinary Fijian is simple: he or she is a taxpayer and has the right to know how their money is being spent.

A non-transparent government compromises its ability to effectively govern and gain the trust of the people it is representing.

Public confidence in the government’s activities, a crucial factor in moving towards a positive developmental direction, will no longer exist.

Additionally, a strong and effective relationship between governments and the media industry worldwide must be harnessed to indicate to the people an adherence to the tenets of the concept of democracy. As clichéd as it

may sound, media practitioners must perform without bias. Their profession requires them to document and investigate events by questioning ethics and events’ legitimacy and inculcate public discussion and not let their own views distort their reporting.

In turn, the government must fathom that the media is not its enemy but an ally and is playing its role as the ‘watch dog’ of society.

On the other crucial end, citizens – now widely defined as the ‘new fourth estate’, must stand for themselves and show interest in the governance of the country.

If citizens display a laid back attitude and act like victims of politics, democracy is far from being achieved. After all, it is not just the responsibility of government or the media to uphold democratic values.

The citizens play just as important role in the process.

They must realise their power and avoid being used just as a theory to be served by the government or be informed by the media. But take action and participate to show they want it in practical terms.

Theodore Roosevelt once said, “A vote is like a rifle; its usefulness depends upon the character of the user.”

However, Abraham Lincoln also made a valid point that “Elections belong to the people.

It’s their decision. If they turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.”

Healthy Living For All

are different. One day election, no race based voting, one person one vote policy, things are surely changing in Fiji. My basic dilemma still stands front, will I vote?

At this point, I’m not sure. Do I trust any of the politicians? No. Do I wan’t to vote? Yes. For me its not a question who’s a better leader, its the hope you can lead Fiji to a better future.

People always have this issue that why do I interfere in Fiji Politics despite living in New Zealand. Fiji is birth country, and it forever will be foremost home.

I love my country that’s why I write.

People should have a problem when I don’t write. My advice to everyone voting: vote carefully.

This time around, the power is in your hand, its time to make a difference. Now only time will tell if that difference is for the better or worse.

Ashneel J Prasad Auckland

Freedom to West Papua IMAGINE a land full of sorrow, a land seeking for freedom, a land and its people a crying for their slice of happiness.

We can do lots of protesting, this will have either have a reaction on the West Papuans, either on a positive or negative side.

Would it matter to the Indonesian Government?

Please my fellow brothers and sisters in West Papua, educate your children,give them knowledge and wisdom to fight for the freedom of your people. Someone out there in West Papua will raise above the others and be the strong voice of freedom like the late Mr. Martin Luther King Jnr and the late South African President Nelson Madela.

WWF Communications Officer Theresa Fox, right, and a friend hold up their 4FJ pledges. Source: Supplied/FB

by CATHERINE THAGGARD THE 4FJ Campaign that seek’s the public’s commitment not to eat th egrouper fish kawakawa and donu has taken off well.

The effort, spearheaded

by Sea Web in a bid to reverse the decline of the species, has shored up support from a wide cross-section of the community, including other environment ac-

tivism groups. Sea Web Asia Pacific programme director, Scott Radway said the campaign was about taking a personal pledge to stand up and create awareness to protect these fish during the spawning season.

“There has being a 70 per cent decline in grouper landings and it will increase if we don’t take a stand”

Young smokers start at age 10

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR University standards

FOR the good of the University and its wonderful students, what really needs to be investigated is how poorly policies and procedures at USP measure up to international standards of academic freedom.

An “internal investigation” and the threat of “appropriate action” against Dr Thompson and Craddock are not in keeping with such standards.

I explore these issues in an article which was recently accepted for publication in the Chronicle of Higher Education.

Will the University also seek to punish me for expressing my views - for exercising my right to academic freedom? Will I be punished for writing this letter?

Academicians have an obligation to seek the truth and then to disseminate the truth as they see it, free from restraint. That is a sacred duty they have which

far surpasses any duty they may have to one institution. At times it seems that USP has little respect for this idea, even though the University’s Strategic Plan suggests in more than 20 places how important it is for the University to meet international standards of academic excellence, as well as the “highest standards” of academic freedom (see the Strategic Plan, page 18). Is the University truly ready to investigate and implement such standards? Doing so would benefit both the University and the people of Oceania enormously, which is why leading universities around the world take academic freedom so seriously.

“I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” --E.B. Hall (Voltaire’s biographer, explaining Voltaire’s views) Robert Epstein, PhD Professor of Psychology USP

Non-communicable diseases are on the rise, and what are we doing about it?

Promoting healthy living, that is, eating healthy and exercising might not be enough anymore. It is becoming a serious issue.

So many thanks to the President for his recommendation on making homes smoke free and to legislate it.

Hopefully something is done about it so that we all can work towards living a better and healthy life, hence, a happy one.

Shristi Singh FSM student, Nausori

Your vote

Elections in Fiji after eight years.

Wow. It seem’s such a long time ago since Fiji witnessed a proper election. This time around things

Editor: Priya Chand Sports Editor: Catherine Thaggard Reporters: Ana ‘Uili, Bettylyn Mataitoga, Natasha Eddie, Charlene Lanyon, Duane Mar, Catherine Thaggard, Kelera Serekini, Charles Kadamana, Arnold Chanel Feature writers: Edward Tavanavanua, Priya Chand Production: Henry Oritimae, Duane Mar Photography: Charles Kadamana, Teaching Assistant Eliki Dugunalevu Journalism lecturer: Dr Matthew Thompson Journalism Programme Coordinator: Pat Craddock Editorial Manager: Irene Manueli 4

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Salanieta Delailakeba USP student, Bau Island

Wansolwara is the student training online publication of the University of the South Pacific’s Journalism Programme. Stories are later reproduced as a newspaper and is printed and distributed throughout Fiji by Fiji Sun as an insert in their daily. Copies are also distributed to all of USP’s regional campuses.

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said Radway. Solevu district’s paramount chief Ratu Filimoni Ralogaivau, executive chef at Castaway Island Lance Seeto, a Ra province fisherman Lisala Waqalala and Seventh-Day Adventist Church Pastor Epeli Saukuru have been identified as some ocean champions, who are actively involved with 4FJ in raising awareness.

Members of the Mujahpa Tribal Beat band play their self-made percussion items.

STORY and PICTURE: Dingle Mulekopa

Traditional sounds to foster harmony WHILE musicians aim for the stars in the hope of one day collaborating with some of the industry’s big wigs, the Mujahpa Tribal Beat band cling to their traditional music.

The Mujahpa Tribal Beat is a Fijian band that uses all naturally-made percussion instruments like the lali and shakers.

“We used natural instruments to maintain and promote our old style of music,” said Mujahpa president Iliesa Lee. Ratu Peni said they were proud to showcase their culture.

“We are original,” said Peni.

Their target is to spread and promote traditional beat as well as peace and harmony in the

community.

Lee said the band aimed to keep Fiji’s culture, peace, respect, and harmony alive in the community.

“We are planing to reach out to the community to show our traditions through traditional beat,” he said. The band is very popular in Sigatoka.

Some of their common dances beats are popular for meke and vude dance.

American tourist Mary Maccarthy said she found the band’s tradtional music to be “very appealing, organic, and soulful about natural instrument.

THERE are revelations that 30 per cent of children who smoke in Fiji, smoked their first cigarette at the tender age of 10.

According to a recent study by the World Health Organisation, the current smokers in Fiji comprise 37 per cent of the total population, with a large number of children engaged in it.

WHO Non-Communicable Disease and Health Promotion Coordinator Dr Temo Waqanivalu said most of these children were from low and middle-income families.

Last year at the Pacific’s health ministers biennial meeting in Samoa they set a goal to reduce the adult smoking population under 5 per cent by 2025.

Dr Waqanivalu is confident that this target can be achieved.

“Fiji has already taken a number of positive steps towards achieving the target of reducing tobacco use,” said Dr Waqanivalu. n

MINFO

Health researcher calls for e-database by

CHARLENE LANYON

FIJI’S health sector would greatly improve with thw support of a better system to store patient data, said USP research student Swaran Ravindra.

Ravindra, a researcher

with the science faculty, said the current practice of entering and storing information manually should be computerised.

“Manual systems come with their own set of flaws so that is one area that really needs to be investigated

on”, she said. Ravindra is working on a thesis project that introduces the idea of having a system where all patient information is online and easily accessible.

The system would contain patient records, appointments, scans and remarks.

“I am trying to find out if the people of Fiji like the system, whereby using our national health card number we are able to log in to an online system”, she said.

“So any doctor, any medical practitioner, any nurse, any patient could be able to

access it from anywhere in Fiji.”

She believes many complaints of the health sector could be solved quicker if data and documents were easily available.

“When investigations happen they shouldn’t take

all that time because if you have an electronic medical report system that will able to gauge all this data then imagine the workload will drastically decrease,” she said. She added that this was the problem in many developing countries.

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5

Campus News

Tali out to empower

Lets build on MDG lessons: Thomson

WOMEN OF Gizo tap into their strengths, inspired by successful self-starters like Ester Tali.

PICTURE: Supplied by WWF by

NATASHA EDDIE

ESTER Tali’s experiences has inspired more women to become entrepreneurs, tapping into their strengths to be able to earn money for themselves and their families.

The mother of five is from Lengana Village in Simbo Island of the Western province of the Solomon Islands and relayed her experiences upon request at the Trade Pasifika festival in April.

After seeing the struggles and the distance the women of her community had to travel to be able to sell their products, Tali sought an avenue that would be beneficial to both herself and the women.

Like any successful person Tali started from the bottom, fulfilling her role as housewife and branching out to become a market vendor and later became the first female taxi driver in Gizo.

From humble beginnings, Tali’s business boomed later establishing a tourist spot named Tali’s Ocean

Waves hideaway located in Gizo Island, the capital of the Western Province.

With her success, she was able to empower more women to find their footing and together she and a few women from Gizo were able to raise $40,000 splitting the benefits equally amongst them.

Being Founder of Gizo Women in Business isn’t the only title she would inherit as her contributions to the community was influence enough for her community elders to elect her the leader of the Ngarilulubi Tribal Association.

Pacific Island Private Sector Organisation chief executive officer Mereia Volavola described Suti as a revelation to the PIPSO organisation.

“Esther was a revelation for women on a PIPSO regional conference that she attended where she shared her experience to other women.She is a leader but she is also a very humble woman who knows what it is like to be out there as women who really

struggle from the bottom.Although she became successful she went back and helped other women who are also struggling to make money from the bottom.” she said.

Tali also holds a leadership role with the women of the church and said it was through her work in the church that she was able to learn leadership skills having gained no experience in it otherwise.

“When I have challenges, I took them in and learn from them, it’s through this challenges that gave me the strength to come this far in life” she said.

“My aim is to organise local women and exposed them to some of the ways that they can help themselves. I want the women to be empowered to reach certain points where they can stand for themselves and be someone in their society,” she said.

Esther stressed that to be a leader doesn’t mean going out into the public and start acting like one, one has to start with families.

Fiji’s representative to Fiji, Peter Thomson DESPITE earlier scepticism, the Fiji Government acknowledges that much has been achieved under the Millennium Development Goals, and more can be done under a similar model that incorporates the lessons learnt.

This was expressed by Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Peter Thomson.

“We can now say that humanity took great development strides under the MDGs, covering more ground than many sceptics thought possible,” he said in his statement at the High Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development in New York last week.

“We must build on the lessons of the MDG

achievements and take the same level of ambition into the Post-2015 Development Agenda and the pursuit of the SDGs. To do any less would be a disservice to future generations.”

Thomson delivered Fiji’s statement on the theme of charting the way towards an ambitious Post-2015 Development Agenda.

The Fiji statement emphasised that the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) stand on the post2015 Development Agenda, especially in regards to climate change and the health of the oceans, is a global call for a development agenda that will be for the good of humanity as a whole. n MINFO

Singh up for posthumous degree BETTYLYN MATAKITOGA

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THE decision to grant a posthumous Master’s degree to the late USP graduate assistant, Joytika Singh, now rests with the Vice Chancellor after an inquest was conducted about a month ago.

Singh, a feminist and a Masters student at the University of the South pacific was killed by her husband in a murder /suicide in their Vatuwaqa home last June.

Pro-Vice Chancellor Research and International Professor John Bythell said there was no policy for awarding posthumous de6

JOYTIKA SINGH grees in USP and they had to create as they went along with assistance from overseas institutions.

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“There are five criteria to follow: how far the student has advanced in her study, is there enough material to be assessed for quality, make sure that the supervisor supports this, finding other staff that supported this and are there independent assessors willing to give an assessment on whether it should be awarded based on what’s available,” he said.

Professor Bythell said three independent assessors from institutions in Australia, Hong Kong and the UK checked Singh’s work and found it worthy of being awarded a posthumous degree. Singh’s research super-

visor, Literature lecturer and the acting Head of School for SLAM Dr Maebh Long said Singh was committed to her project from an academic, personal and a grassroots activism perspective.

“In her death USP and Fiji has been robbed of somebody who would’ve been a great intellectual and someone who would’ve been a shining light for women’s rights in Fiji, she said.

“I believe it’s really important for Joytika to be awarded this MA because it will stand as a testimony to the work she did do,” Long added.

FACTOIDS nThree independent assessors reviewed Singh’s work and found it worth of being awarded a posthumous degree. nUSP issued its last posthumous degree in 2010. n5 - There are five chief criteria to be considered, and sometimes even investigated, on whether to award a posthumous degree.

Onward to Rugby World Cup 2015

! ! ! o G i j i F Go

United in thanksgiving...The Samoa and Fiji teams kneel together in praise after the match. Samoa won 18-13.

ABOVE: Like true sporstmen...Cook Island’s Stephen Setephano and Fiji’s Apisalome Ratuniyarawa congratulate each other. Fiji won 108-6. BELOW: Fiji’s Nikola Matawalu grounds one for the team. PICTURES: ELIKI DRUGUNALEVU

ABOVE: Jubilant Samoan students support in style LEFT: Loose forward Dominiko Waqaniburotu dominates the lineout.

BELOW: Post-match...

Scotland-based Fiji prop Jerry Yanuyanutawa and the Samoan players who are also

Bu Kini’s big heart for rugby

Family and fans ... Fiji’s speedster Nemani Nadolo indulges his young fans after the Fiji-Cook Island match.

Pictures: ELIKI DRUGUNALEVU

Bu Kini is the delightful diehard Fiji rugby fan whose fabulous sense of humour is a crowd pleaser. She usually holds court during half-time.

8

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A Cook Island fan joins Bu Kini in an entertaining face-off

Think Pacific out in full force to support their host country’s team. www.wansolwara.com> 2014>JULY

9

News

Living the dream Aspiring parliamentarian ROSHIKA DEO is determined to rise above the challenges by

PRIYA CHAND

THEY say a woman came out of a man’s rib. Not from his feet to be walked on and not from his head to be superior. But from his side - to be equal.

But what happens when a woman, who is typically popular for cooking, washing and raising children, attempts to move out of that preconceived idea and break the social norms?

What happens to women like Katherine Switzer, the marathon woman who challenged the all male tradition of the 1967 Boston Marathon and became the first woman to officially enter and run the event despite being physically attacked by an official?

Women like these make history and make a change in the world despite infinite challenges and losing the first battle for they secure the chance to win many more, thereafter.

Roshika Deo, an independent candidate for the upcoming Fiji General elections has been on the receiving end of many misogynists and patronizing attacks on “social media” and according to her, some local media have only added onto her challenges instead of addressing it.

She spoke about the challenges she was facing in the lead up to elections Deo who recently received the 2014 American Secretary State’s International Women of Courage Award for her advocacy for democracy, accountability, and the rights of women and “There have been a lot of attacks based on my gender – from misogynist attacks to patronizing attitudes,” she said.

“Like recently I discovered that they were having this discussion about me on a blog.

And there was this person that wrote “Potential hubby for Roshika”.

“This is not only patronizing but also very misogynist and sexist. And this person said something along the lines that of “why you going into politics, after you lose, no one will care about you, it’s better you spend time looking for a husband and having a family because they will give you more happiness.”

According to Deo, she feels the local media failed her, even though she recognises that they were not entirely to blame.

She said whilst she had been subjected to so many threats, it was the international media that tapped onto it rather than the local media.

“I didn’t go asking any overseas media to cover me. They approached me themselves because they saw it happening all over Facebook,” she said.

“So if an overseas media can have access to that information, obviously the local media also knew that. But they didn’t think that this was important.

“They didn’t think it was priority and till today I have not been approached by any single local media.”

She added that more challenges had been created for her after foreign correspondent Graham Davis published an article in one of the local mediums containing private messages between them and that she “did 10

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USP student Ender Rence is a fan of Deo and her Be the Change campaign.

PICTURE: Supplied

Roshika Deo.

PICTURE: Humans of the Fiji Islands (Jon Apted) Facebook Page

not give consent” for the information to be published. “I received so many threats after that, people reading it and saying ‘oh she should be beaten up, she should be sued, she should be charged for treason and these are the kinds of comments that I have been getting.”

“I have been tagged on every single post and I was being sworn at - so already I had the challenges that were never ever covered, but they went ahead and covered this in a bias, unethical and discriminatory way.”

The “woman of courage” also spoke about her challenges in terms of funding and family.

Deo said the recent amendment of the electoral decree has added to her troubles as it disallows political parties to receive

donations from non-Fijians and therefore she is not able to use funds she has received from some Australian women who have donated to her cause.

“So right now I have just over 1000 in the back and not all of it from former or current Fiji citizen. Hundred or Two hundred dollars maybe from them but the rest were from Australian women who had given money.

So it has made a big impact and right now we have no funding at all,” she said.

In terms of her family, she explained how her father Indar Deo, while happy that she was standing for elections was not entirely supportive.

Indar stood for local-government elections a few times previously and later stood for the 2006 national elections -with Na-

tional Alliance Party.

“I think that he is struggling with the idea that I’m getting attacked by so many people (after all he is a father), but he needs to respect my decision and needs to give me the freedom to do what I want to do - which he usually does - but he had conditions,” she said.

“For instance -, he has been putting a lot of pressure on me to get married. So we did not speak for several months because the pressure was very immense.”

She said a lot of men, whether it was her father and even her brothers, unless and until they were made aware of the challenges, they were very ignorant on what the realities of women’s lives were.

President of the Women’s Information Network, Dr Rajni Chand said Deo had the intelligence and confidence needed to make a difference.

“We support her - her role at legal aid earlier as well as at the NGO at FWRM , so she has insight and has been in touch with the grassroot,” she said.

“Because it is only when a woman parliamentarian is there in parliament, demanding for women’s issues, can some difference be made.”

Despite having all these challenges that are acting as road humps for the aspiring politician, the independent candidate is adamant to fight elections on her own – with the support of her constituency, consisting of youth and women.

While Deo has been approached by parties, and joining so would give her a better chance of winning, she believes most of them are still hierarchy based and that all the people that were part of her “BE THE CHANGE CAMPAIGN” said they were only supporting and being part of the campaign because she was not associated with any party.

“Hence, I had to listen to my own constituency – the people who are working along me and supporting me,” she said.

“My main aim is to be issue-based and be people representative and not get caught in party ideologies and party politics – and being an independent gives me that autonomy to do so.” www.wansolwara.com> 2014>JULY

11

Features

Features

Sex workers: Tales of survival and horror

by

EDWARD TAVANAVANUA

S

URVIVAL Advocacy Network is a nonprofit organisation founded in 2009 by and for sex workers in Fiji.

It is a support network of mainly transgender and female sex workers.

SAN’s Transgender Project Coordinator Rani Ravudi, as well as three other sex workers, spoke to Wansolwara about ill-treatment from the public and local authorities. The real identities of some of these sex workers have been changed to aliases they are more comfortable with for fear they may be victimised.

More than a month ago comment was sought from the Fiji Police Force on issues raised. The queries remain unanswered by the time this newspaper went to press.

RANI, 34. transgender woman, professional sex worker.

Meeting Rani, I found myself quite unsure of how to address her or him, so “do you prefer to be called a ‘he’ or a ‘she’?” I ask.

Quite bluntly, she says “I would prefer to be addressed as she and her – I’ve had arguments at airports and banks and shops about the way people address me.”

“I walk up to you and I’m wearing makeup, my tits are big enough to touch my chin, and they still call me ‘mister’, ‘excuse me sir’, and I always tell them straight, ‘it’s madam.’”

Taken aback by how seemingly common it was for people to establish a prejudice and offend her in doing so I kept quiet.

“The way I feel inside is expressed outside by the way I dress, and the way I talk,” she said dragging and stressing ‘talk’, as if I had struck a nerve.

“The mentality is just about the business between the legs, I think it’s important to them rather than what I express outside.”

“At the end of the day it’s none of their business, it’s my body, it’s my business.”

Asking Rani about how she got into the business, she told me it all began with finding herself in an abusive home and school environment.

“My family, my friends in school, teachers, they tried 12

Sex workers of Cape Town, SA, march for their rights and mark International Sex Workers Day. CREDIT: IOL to mould me to become more masculine, but I was a feminine boy,” she said with an expression of frustration and concern on her face.

“When I say moulding, it came with physical abuse, emotional abuse – it really affected me emotionally, physically, and psychologically.”

“When they supressed me, that only made me more rebellious and I left home to be myself – I wanted to be Rani.”

“Can you tell me about your first sex work experience,” I asked.

She takes some time to recall the event, and then says, “So my first ‘job’, before it used to be the Berjayah Inn, but now it’s the Tanoa Plaza, the bus stop there – my favourite hangout spot.”

“I went and did a job for $20 and for me, when I did it - OH” she gasps, holding her chest and reminiscing on how easy it was to make money. “By that time I was sexually active, I had been sleeping around with guys and boys and none of them gave me anything.”

“Sex work has made me travel the world,” she explains.

“I’ve been to Bangkok so many times – that’s where I got my tits done – been to Australia over and over

JULY>2014>www.wansolwara.com

again, and New Zealand.”

While sex work seems like it has its perks, Rani says it can be uncomfortable for a sex worker to access basic health services.

“Being transgendered, it’s very costly, like even the hormones, it’s not available here,” she shares. “There’s no information on it from the Ministry of Health, so transgendered people I know just go and buy it

“

sensitise them.”

Rani continued to tell me about how SAN hosts regular sensitisation workshops with local authorities, like police. She said this was useful so that the authorities could learn about the assaults and harassment sex workers experience from some of their colleagues.

She then shared an incident at their headquarters, ‘DC’, which is the dark corner near Marela House and Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre headquarters.

She said a trucload of officers came by DC and began to verbally abuse them.

“At that time I had never had my tit job and they wanted to know what was inside my bra,” she recounted.

“They took off our wigs, removed whatever was in our bras and, to make it worse, they made us run from ‘Dark Corner’ – running in front and them coming in the back with the lights and everything on.

She said when they arrived at the holding base, the officers treated them like entertainment.

“When we got there, they just wanted to make fun of us, strip us – strip us and make fun of our body parts,” she said.

“It’s like for them our lifestyle is a joke – I see it very common here in Fiji, the Fijian humour is to make fun of gay men, lesbians,

When we got there, they just wanted to make fun of us, strip us - strip us and make fun of us

”

off the counter, and it’s like $21, and it could last us 20 days, so it’s like a dollar a day. Some take two or three or four, think that it will work faster, but there is no specialist, no one from the ministry to monitor all of this. When we access the health services, they look at us funny,” she said.

“When we walk in we can just hear them talking about us in a negative way, in a sort of degrading manner, but now with the work I’m doing, we’re trying to

but people don’t understand how much it hurts the feelings of this particular group of people – I’m a human being!”

ALLY, 29. transgender woman. Professional sex worker.

Ally is one of the transgender women who during the 2006 coup was taken to a camp where she was humiliated.

“They made us climb up the coconut tree in the night with no clothes,” she recalled, eyes closed as she relived the horror.

“That was one of the inhumane treatments that we ever come across.”

She tells me this was one of several incidents over two weeks.

“The next time they took me, they strip off my clothes and they throw it in the sea,” she says with her eyes welling up and pausing between sentences.

She continues, “…and I have to run bare…they forced me to go into the water, to wet myself, and I have to come out with no clothes and I have to feel how cold the night is.”

“The last time they caught me, they kept me the whole night and they had this bunch of other army officers there…and with just undies on we have to roll on the ground with the hose pipe on, and we have to roll on that place until it’s muddy.”

“In the morning they

took us right to where this school, where they do the patrolling, the school patrol, and they make us stand there – you know those orange cones they use on the road – yeah, they put it on our head to stop the cars.”

“Those are the experiences that really break us,” she says sighing.

I ask if the military explained why they took her and those other sex workers, and if they ever apologised.

“I remember when I was released I went down to Pacific Counselling and Social Services,” she says, “I remember going down to their office and I asked them if they could help write a complaint about the treatments that happened – they helped me and it was filed to the Prime Minister’s office. I think the officer there that night was done the same treatment that was done to me,” she replies reluctantly.

“I think it’s still not fair.”

BELLA, 22 years, a transgender woman. Professional sex worker.

Bella began sex work in 2008 after leaving university. She says she was physically and emotionally abused by her father and family.

“Is money all that you’ve received for sex work? I ask. “Money, some charity, food, drink, even the place you stay can be your payment,” she says confidently.

“Your client can pay for the place you stay, the food you eat, and what you want to do. Some men when we get to know them, when they want to care for us like this, that’s when we don’t want any other sex worker to have them.”

She adds that at this stage, they can sometimes just be a companion and get paid.

“We can just go to talk to them, and we have techniques to just do the job and get the money out of them,” she said.

“Just the money because some of us sex workers, we have other lives out there, we have partners who are always waiting back home at our flat.”

When asked what their partners thought, she replied: “Our partners have to be understanding because that’s the only thing that’s n Continued on Page 13

n Continued from Page 12

gonna make them be a prince at home.”

So how competitive is sex work, I asked.

“It is very competitive for transgendered women and the MSM – men who have sex with men,” she said excitedly. “Even some of them [MSM], they come to us in the club, they try to tell us ‘you wanna buy me’, and I’m like ‘HELLO, I’m trying to sell myself here honey.’ They can come in the street, they can come and spoil our friends [clients] again, they can come and just take anybody.”

When asked about run-ins with the authorities, she shared that she had been to prison a few times.

She said it was astonishing that those responsible for her incarceration would behave as if nothing happened, and try to be friends.

“It makes me sick,” she said. “Some of them come and pay us for sex work or just make use of their uniform, so they can do anything, because they think we are nothing (but) sex workers.”

She admits she knows sex work is not right, “but for us we just have to do it for our own good on the street,” she says, looking to her friends for support. All nodded in accord.

She said there were even times when it was simply best to oblige to avoid further problems.

Over the years, they have come to know what locations were best to avoid because these were extremely dangerous ground. She and her friends feel the capital is one of the few safe places.

“Police just patrol and do their job,” she says, “unlike in Rewa Street or Omkar Road, or in Nausori, some places are really bad and much worse,” she said.

“Sometimes the police are very ignorant of our human rights because of the decree [2009 Fiji Crimes Decree] now in place, they can just be suspicious of anything that we’re doing and just take us in.”

“We are trying to ask to decriminalise sex work because some of our clients too, they treat us like they know we can’t go and complain, so they can just take us and dump us wherever and do whatever, and they know we can’t go and report it, cause they know it’s

against the law.”

SU, 27, itaukei. Female.

Occasional sex worker.

“I had a best friend, he passed away last year – he was a transgendered woman. Eery night she would give me a smoke when she would go and ‘work’ and always tell me hey, us two go and get barbeque.

One time she told me see we’re going to meet one of my friends, and he’s gonna give me $50 dollars, you don’t worry, you just go out there it won’t hurt - ahh, like what?” she says to her friend confused.

She said her friend then explained: “he’s gonna give you the money and you have to sleep with him.”

That was how she started.

She does not engage in it often now as she relies on selling cigarette rolls and grog.

“Only Friday, Saturday, I got to look for the clients, go clubbing, come back home, but it’s not like before; before, it continued everyday, drink everyday, do sex work, go home.”

I then ask whether she got exhausted, or sick.

“I went out with one client and I got pregnant,” she said.

“I was taken to the hospital cause my stomach was paining, cause I don’t know I was pregnant, and I had a surgery – that was 2005,” she says. “I had an ectopic pregnancy, so from that time I’ve been looking after my health very well cause the nurse and the doctor tell me if you want to have a baby, don’t abuse yourself in having sex with any man like that.”

She shared shortly after the pregnancy ordeal, she went to jail.

“First time I was convicted, I plead not quickly cause I came to one of the SAN workshop and they told us that unless they, the police catch the client giving you the money, then they cannot charge you,” she says with a laugh.

“But whenever they always comes, they see us come with the condom, same time they say it’s the evidence.

“When the time I came back from prison I make friends with the police from my area, so when they come, come ga choke us gang. If no(t), they’ll take

you. If I have the money I’ll give it.”

She added that one of her friends had complained about a police officer client and he retaliated by assaulting her on the street.

“One of my friends report on this copper here because they have sex, and after one week, he was on duty, and he came and smack this friend of mine on the street with a belt.”

“My friend went to report, they took off his uniform, (and) right now he’s not a police officer anymore, he’s a security guard.”

n These are some of the harrowing stories these sex workers shared during an information session earlier this year.

www.wansolwara.com> 2014>JULY

13

Sports

Road to the world cup

OFC win and world cup qualification not the final goal

Solomon Islands Under 20 player, left and New Caledonia player contest for the ball at the U-20 Oceania Football Confederation Championship.

EMMANUEL DUANE MAR

by

THE momentary silence that set in at full time on May 31st 2014, was the moment that united the hearts of every football fan in Fiji.

The U-20 Fiji football team made history just a few weeks ago by winning the U-20 Oceania Football Confederation Championship.

But more so than just their first OFC title, this victory means that, for the first time, Fiji will play in the same tournament that once hosted great names like Deigo Maradona, Lionel Messi and Robinho, the U-20 FIFA World Cup. By defeating the Solomon Is-

lands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea and American Samoa, our boys made the nation proud by qualifying for the 2015 World Cup in New Zealand.

Standout performances by young stars Praneel Naidu, Nickel Chand, Saula Waqa and Samuela Nabenia proved devastating against teams like New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea and American Samoa.

Naidu who is often called “the next Avinesh Swamy” demonstrated good judgement, control and created many chances at goal with his long feeds and spot-on free kicks.

The synergy of Waqa and Nabenia

in the front, combined with Chand’s vast improvement throughout the OFC shows a lot of promise for the stars of the next generation of football in Fiji.

However, there were areas of weakness in the U-20 side made obvious during the 5-Day competition. A lack of finishing ability, patience, suitable substitutes on the bench, and stamina, are issues that need to be addressed by the coaching staff before next year’s world cup.

Dispite the history making event, simply qualifying for the world cup should not in any way be treated as the end goal, but as another step

forward for the future of football in Fiji.

The Fiji Football Association should ensure that the U-20 squad is built on to make them competitive next year in New Zealand.

Soccer is a sport whereby anything can happen, like defending champions Spain’s shocking 5-1 loss to the Netherlands, followed by their 2-0 loss to Chille which effectively eliminated them from the rest of the competition, a mere two weeks in.

With the right attitude, conviction and training, Fiji just might make a statement of their own come June next year.

OPINION

Kick out the 3-5-2 formation by

ARNOLD CHANEL

SINCE the introduction of football in Fiji, almost all local teams have been taught to play using the formation style known as 3-5-2.

This incorperates the use of 3 defenders. 5 midfielders and 2 forwards and is designed for very offensive tactics.

This formation was first introduced by Argentina coach, Carlos Bilardo, whose team had arguably the world’s greatest individual talent of his time, Diego Maradona.

However, 3-5-2 is rarely used by many international teams today, with most preferring two center backs and extra bodies in midfield with formations like 4-2-3-1 used by Germany and 4-4-2 used by top club Arsenal.

Former national and current Suva coach Gurjit 14

The 3-5-2 formation shown here is rarely used today.

Singh believes that local coaches need to change their mindset and ‘get with the times.’

“3-5-2 was taught to teams decades ago and most local coaches played using that formation,” said Singh.

“In modern day football nobody uses this formation

JULY>2014>www.wansolwara.com

because of how much strain it puts on the left and right wing backs.”

“They have to cover the full length of the park as midfield has less players and this constantly leaves the defenders prone to attacks.”

Singh, who helped Suva lift their first Inter-District

Championship in 28 years said that it is up to coaches to identify the caliber of their players before deciding on the best formation.

“Local coaches need to realize that the 3-5-2 era was over long ago and develop a new mindset and adapt to modern football for the betterment of football in the country.”

Popular sports writer Rashneel Kumar believes that 3-5-2 is not all bad but requires teams to be considerably fit for it to work.

“It isn’t a bad formation when you have wingers with a lot of stamina to cover the length of the field in both attack and defense.”

“The problem with 3-52 is that once the midfield opens up, it puts the defense under tremendous amounts of pressure.”

According to Kumar if Fiji played against teams which use 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-

1 formations they would crumble.

Former Football commentator Satish Narain said that the coaching standards in Fiji are not up to par.

“Most local coaches are so comfortable with what they know they refuse to go outside of the box and this makes sure that football in Fiji remains stuck,” he said.

“Usage of this outdated formation also means the players will be left chasing the other team and tire out much sooner than with a regular 4-4-2 formation.”

The change, according to Narain needs to come from school level.

“New formations have to be taught at a young age so that players are able to adapt and play them at the highest levels.”

Narain said this will ensure that footballers of the next generation will be well equipped to take Fiji foot

Sports v

‘

BRIEFS Lack of snacks cause loss URUGUAY fans have blamed the confiscation of their team’s 40 kg of dulce de leche (caramel spread)

by Brazilian officials, to their 3-1 defeat to Costa Rica in their opening game of the World Cup last Saturday.. - NPR

...I was nervous but then I remembered what it was like before every game in netball and walked into the room with confidence and believed in myslef...

FIFA probes anti-gay chants by Mexico fans FOOTBALL world governing body Fifa has started disciplinary proceedings against Mexico after alleged homophobic chants by their fans during their World Cup match against Cameroon last Friday. In a statement, Fifa said the inquiry was launched after what they called “improper conduct” by Mexican fans.

- BBC

’

Brazillians attack England fans with firecrackers.

Police arrested 14 Brazilians for throwing firecrackers at England fans at a bar in Sao Paulo before their team’s World Cup match Thursday, allegedly a bid to provoke a brawl.The Brazilians went on the rampage as fans gathered to watch the England-Uruguay game, which the South Americans won 2-1. Police spokesman Romulo Gabrette Lara said the projectiles were in fact relatively small firecrackers of the kind used at Brazil’s traditional June festivals.

- AFP

From runners to stilettos

Japan fans best in Brazil.

Japan fans earn high praise for helping clean World Cup stadiums after the Blue Samurais play. During the game they used the bags as balloons, flying them in support of their squad.

But afterward they put the bags to a different, more practical use of cleaning up their section of the stands.

Fans of the Japanese national team brought blue trash bags with them to their team’s matches against Ivory Coast and Greece and after each game, they cleaned up the stands before leaving. NYDAILYNEWS

by

Asena strutts her stuff at one of her recent shoots. The 17-year-old Tailevu lass is one of the 10 finalists vying for the title of Miss World Fiji with the finale scheduled to be held at the Pearl South Pacific Resort later this month.

m Tweets Cristiano Ronaldo @ Cristiano • Jun 20 Listening to this song before the game in space... I’m going to fly on the field!

Neymar Júnior @ neymarjr • Jun 23 My goals would not have the slightest grace without my opponents.

So I respect every one of them.

FIFA World Cup 2014 @FIFAworldcup14 • Jun 25 Di Maria: We’re lucky Messi is Argentinian `

Picture: SUPPLIED

CATHERINE THAGGARD

THERE’S marked difference between the track and the catwalk but 17-year-old Tailevu lass Asena Rokotuwai was not going to let it stand in the way of her dream to represent Fiji in London.

The keen netballer has been eyeing the Miss World Fiji pageant for a while. This year she took on the challenge. She is now a finalist in the pageant.

Asena lives in Australia. She has been since she was five years old. She attends Blue Mountains Grammar School where she plays netball in the senior team.

Her mother, Milika Rokotuwai, spoke about her passion for sports and how she would always be involved in the school’s sporting events.

“Asena was always very sporty from a young age and loved playing netball,” Milika said.

In April, Asena decided to trade in her runners for stilettos and take up a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity to be a contestant in the Miss World Fiji Pageant.

As one of the Top 10 finalists for the pageant, which will host its final event at The Pearl South Pacific Resort in Pacific Harbour later this month.

Asena believes she has what it takes to represent Fiji in the best way possible and has full support from her parents and coaches back home in Australia.

Asena’s netball coach Jenny spoke on the confidence that Asena shows on the court when she is playing.

“She is a fearless athlete, an amazing team player and is always willing to help her younger team mates by giving them tips” she said.

Being an athlete, Asena admits there have been times where she didn’t perform up to par as an athlete, but that having that fighting Fijian spirit has got her through.

“When I first auditioned for the Miss World Fiji pageant, I was nervous, but then remembered what it was like before every game in netball and walked into the room with confidence and believed in myself” said Asena.

“My mum and dad have supported me all the way and I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for them.”

Asena sees the Miss World Fiji Pageant as a stepping stone in her life, and hopes to prove herself in the finale.

Fiji to host world class golf tourney by

EMMANUAL DUANE MAR

ABOUT 120 professional golfers are expected to tee off when Fiji hosts its first ever Fiji Open next month, said the Sponsorship Manager of Sports and Entertainment Limited, Nicola Wilson.

The competition will be held at the Natadola Beach Golf Course and is sponsored by the Intercontinental Resort.

Wilson said preparations were well under way and progressing quickly.

“With only 12 weeks to go, there’s a lot

of work to be done but with tournament General Manager Natalie Ritter on the ground in Fiji, we are on track,” she said.

Wilson said the tournament preparations had challenges like catering for the quantity of equipment required for production like marquees, scaffolding, golf carts and signage.

“We are working closely with well over 30 local businesses, suppliers and media groups to meet these issues and ensure the production is a world class event,” she said.

Wilson said that for the PGA to recognise

Fiji as a major player on the world golf stage is a positive sign for the growth and development.

Intercontinental Resort’s marketing executive Jennifer Forrest said the resort was proud to be part of the renowned sports event.

“We’re thrilled our gold level sponsorship could make the event a success,” she said.

Forrest said that this tournament could help raise Fiji’s profile as a golfing destination internationally.

“Vijay Singh returning to Fiji to support his home country and play in our tournament is one of our biggest attractions,” she said.

The former world no.1 spoke of his in a press release, saying he was proud to take part in the Fiji Open.

“The Fiji International is a big opportunity for Fiji and I wanted to be a part of it,” he said.

The Fiji Open will be held from August 14-17 this year.

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15

Sports

Best when guard’s down by

KELERA SERELINI

THE best time to judge the quality of sevens players is when they let their guard down, says national sevens coach Ben Ryan.

This, he said, was the best time to guage their capabilities and potential as a professional sevens player.

“This is when the players are themselves,” he said. “When no one is looking, the players are in their comfort zone.”

He said when his players are comfortable and were just being themselves, their performance usually did not disappoint.

“For Sammy (Samisoni Viriviri),

I just ask him to be the best version of himself and to do his best,” he explained. And Viriviri has since been the “best version of himself”.

Viriviri, who is from Nadroga, was named IRB 7s Player of the Year. Ryan, who recently named his Under-18 team to the Youth Olympics in China, said key elements to having a high performing team were: 1. CONSISTENCY “You have to be honest and consistent with what you do as you can’t fool others for long.”

2. PLANNING

Malani keen for tougher meets by

CHARLES KADAMANA

NATIONAL swimming representative Meli Malani aims to set new national records at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, at the end of the month.

The 17-year-old said he was looking forward to the competition, especially because it would help him to boost his performance.

“Competition will be tough and better than what we have here in Fiji so it would push me to the best of my abilities and could push me towards the national records,” he said.

“My main goals is to better my personal best times so that I know that all my training has paid off and if I do get to break some national records than it would be a bonus, “ he said Malani was with the Team Fiji when they presented their itautau to President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau.

Ratu Nailatikau encouraged the young athletes to do well and ro show what a small country like Fiji was capable of.

Chef de mission Lyndall Fisher said the team was excited about the opportunity and they would use it to gain as much experience as possible.

“We were privileged to hear the words of encouragement from the President and it is a big motivation for us,” she said.

Fiji’s fastest male swimmer Meli Malani.

PHOTOGRAPHER: CHARLES KADAMANA

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JULY>2014>www.wansolwara.com

“You have to plan, it is essential,” Ryan said.

“You have to plan your work and work your plan. When referring to the Fiji 7s team, he said “For the team there are no surprises.”

3. SIMPLICITY He said simplicty and clarity were essential. “The basics are that the higher you go, the simpler you should make things for your players.”

4.BE THE BEST “I don’t feel the pressure from the people but I pressure myself to do my best,” Ryan said. “Be hundred

per cent at what you after.”

5. LISTENING Ryan said communication was just as important as the rest. “Communication is not all talking, but listening – listening is equally important.”

Despite joining Fiji rugby late last year, many still wonder why he chose Fiji. He said it was because “Fiji has some of the world’s best 7s talents”.

Sevens legend Waisale Serevi said Ryan’s “bold move” was just what Fiji needed, especially “ since Fiji fans don’t take losing very lightly.”

Fiji 7s coach Ben Ryan

Boxing classes now at uni gym by

NAVEEL SWAMY

BOXING lessons have started at the USP Fitness Centre, adding to the already wide range of selfdefence classes available.

Training coordinator Nicholas Fuata said the sessions focus on the basics and helps to build stamina.

“We are having 15 USP students and five outsiders who attend these sessions,” he said.

He also said this was a way of helping the gym increase its clientelle and get them more business as nonstudents would have to pay some fees for the training sessions.

Fuata, who sparred with some of the region’s big names, is a certified boxing coach. He holds a level one coaching certificate in boxing from the Olympic committee, which means he qualifies to train boxers for the Olympic Games. Fuata said the sport was good to take up because it helped to cultivate discipline.

Jeremiah Davies, an international student from America, is one of the students who enrolled into the class.

“I wanted to do something in Fiji that I would not normally do in the States so I joined the boxing club when I found it was offered on campus,’’ he said.

He said it was good fun, adding that it would be great to throw a few proper punches and defend ourselves.