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Fiji Airways is best airline in Australia and Pacific

National Airline scoops two major awards at the 2023 Skytrax World Airline Award
Source: Fiji Airways

Fiji’s National Carrier has been recognised as the Skytrax

Best Airline in Australia & the Pacific at the prestigious
2023 World Airline Awards, held on June 20 at the Paris
Air Show.
In 2022, Fiji Airways was ranked third in the region –
behind Qantas (which has won the award for the last four
years) and Air New Zealand.
This year, the airline has leap-frogged its two largest
competitors to be declared Best Airline in Australia & the
Pacific.
This is the first time that the National Airline has won
this accolade while also retaining the award for the
Skytrax Best Airline Staff in Australia & the Pacific for
the third year in a row.
Fiji Airways has also improved its ranking in the Global
Top 100 airlines, leapfrogging from 36th in 2022 to 15th
in 2023 to finish ahead of Qantas (17th), British Airways
(18th) and Air New Zealand (19th).
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Mr
Andre Viljoen said that these are big wins for a small
airline in a highly competitive region for commercial
aviation.
“Our unwavering commitment to quality service
delivery is reason that Fiji Airways is today the Best The high-level Fiji Airways team with the prestigious Skytrax Best Airline in Australia & the Pacific award in Paris last week.
in Australia and the Pacific. We may not have as much Photo: Supplied
resources as larger airlines, but we have the Fijian spirit of
consistency, we would not be where we are today. I am passenger satisfaction survey to determine the award
hospitality and care.
confident the organisation will put as much effort into winners with more than 20 million entries, and more than
“As the National Airline, we embrace and champion
all our future endeavours and strive for excellence,” Mr 325 airlines featured in the final results.
these values in everything we do, and this sets us apart as
Viljoen added. Viljoen emphasized that Fiji Airways is committed to
an airline.”
“The fact that these awards are determined purely on Working as One to Deliver Exceptional Fijian Experiences
A high-level delegation from Fiji Airways was in Paris,
guest feedback makes our two accolades all the more not just with its service standards on-board, but at every
France on June 20 to receive the awards on behalf of the
special. Our customers have consciously chosen Fiji customer perception point.
company.
Airways above all the other participating airlines in the He added that the National Airline continues to innovate,
“I want to congratulate all the employees of Fiji Airways
region.” and introduce new strategies to grow the company, increase
for these two awards for without their hard work and
Travellers across the world voted in the largest airline revenue and expand our global network
2 NEWS JUNE 25 - JULY 25, 2023

Benjamin wins New Zealand environment essay

Students from Natabua High School who took part in the 2022 New Zealand Fiji Secondary schools essay The Co-Supreme winner in the NZ essay competition Benjamin Weatherall
competition with NZ High Commissioner Charlotte Darlow (front row middle). Photos: Sanjay Goundar with NZ High Commissioner to Fiji Charlotte Darlow

Zareena Bi
Year 13 student of Natabua High School Benjamin Weatherall has made his school proud by
being declared one of the winners of the 2022 New Zealand Fiji Secondary schools essay com-
petition organized by the Fiji Association in Auckland.
Weatherall received the award for Certificate of Commendation as one of the the Supreme
Winners and his prizes included a cash amount of 500, a laptop and certificate which was pre-
sented at the residence of New Zealand High Commissioner to Fiji recently.
He informed that his topic was on the Osmo Corporation, and how New Zealand and Fiji can
work together to combat climate change.
“We were given a sentence which we were supposed to incorporate in our essay which was
taken from the Prime Ministers speech at the United Nations on climate change.
“My advice to my fellow students’ is, don’t limit yourself and take advantage of the opportu-
nities that come your way”.
While visiting Natabua High school to present certificates to other participating students New
Zealand High Commissioner to Fiji Charlotte Darlow informed that she is delighted to be part
of the team that is doing the prize giveaway for the essay competition.
“But I would say it’s about more than just the essay competition It is about the process of
learning to put your thoughts, your perspective and your story down on paper and to send that
out into the world and to tell that to someone else.
“For me, it’s about you guys appreciating that you are not only the leaders of the future but you
are leading now and you are impacting the world now”.
Meanwhile, the principal of Natabua High school Virendra Sharma welcomed the New Zea-
land High Commissioner to their school and thanked the New Zealand government for creating
such opportunities for students in Fiji.
“Natabua High School has always prided itself in quality holistic education for our students
and the accomplishment of our students in the 2022 NZ Fiji essay competition speaks volume
in this regard.
“I would also like to acknowledge the sheer determination of the students who participated
and my special congratulations to Benjamin Weatherall for his excellent achievement.
“We acknowledge the support given by the parents to their children to participate in such com-
petitions and my advice to students is to take the opportunities that life has to offer and create,
innovate and inspire.”

CITY STAR - THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FROM LAUTOKA

JUNE 25 - JULY 25, 2023 NEWS 3

Revived taskforce to address devastating termites infestation

The revived taskforce committee headed by the Assistant Minister in the office of the Prime Minister, Sakiusa Tubuna responsible for tackling the major problem of termite’s i
nfestation in the western and northern division of the country. Photo: Supplied

In a crucial meeting held at the Office of the Prime Minister, government officials,
stakeholders, and industry representatives gathered to address the pressing issue of a
termite infestation that has inflicted significant damage on Fiji’s Western and Northern
regions.
While opening the meeting on June 23, the Assistant Minister in the Office of the Prime
Minister Sakiusa Tubuna expressed gratitude to the attendees for their participation and
emphasized the urgent need to combat this stealthy and ruthless enemy.
The impact of the termite infestation has been immense, resulting in millions of
dollars in damages affecting numerous Fijian families and businesses.
“During a recent visit to Lautoka and the West, I witnessed firsthand the devastating
consequences of this imported pest,” said Tubuna.
Stakeholders revealed that approximately 150 properties in Lautoka alone have
been identified as termite-infested, with some structures so severely compromised that
demolition is necessary.
Termites pose a global nuisance, known for being one of the most challenging pests
to control and eradicate. Australia alone experiencing an annual cost of AUD 1.3 billion
in repair expenses for 180,000 homes affected.
Experts have indicated that termites can devalue a property by up to 25% and
accelerate the need for costly repairs over time, underscoring the urgency of addressing
this issue.
“Recognizing the gravity of the situation and the impact on families and businesses,
the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF), private sector entities, stakeholders, and the
government must collaborate moving forward,” the Assistant Minister said.
The BAF has assumed responsibility for containing and controlling the Asian
Subterranean Termite (AST) infestation and implementing preventive measures to curb
its spread beyond the Lautoka and Labasa districts.
Government on the other hand has consistently provided financial support to the BAF
since its establishment, allocating $6.3 million for operational and capital purposes
between 2018 and 2019.
Tubuna said that while the Government remains committed to robust biosecurity
protocols and affirmative measures, the role of industry and business in preventing the
importation of biosecurity hazards is crucial.
The task force intends to gather valuable insights and data from all participants to
devise effective strategies and policies.
Hon Tubuna further urged collaboration and emphasized the need for innovative
approaches, highlighting that cooperation and joint efforts were essential to combat
this issue.
Additionally, Assistant Minister Tubuna highlighted the urgency of action, expressed
confidence in the collective determination of the attendees to address the termite
problem, and assured stakeholders that government would provide the necessary
support to tackle the devastating impact of termites in Fiji.
“This meeting marks the beginning of a new era in the fight against the infestation,
rallying stakeholders to work together and find sustainable solutions,” he said.
“With the task force and a united front against the termite invasion, the country is
poised to confront this pressing concern head-on, safeguarding homes, society, and the
country’s overall well-being,” concludes the Assistant Minister.
Also present in the meeting was the Assistant Minister for Women, Children, and
Social Protection Sashi Kiran, and the Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Waterways
Tomasi Tunabuna.

Safety measures paramount when transporting school children

The Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro, has ex-
pressed sympathy for the children involved in the recent
Lautoka bus accident.
Speaking on the Government radio program Voqa ni
Davui, the Minister called on bus companies to prior-
itize the safety of children when transporting them to
and from school.
The Minister said that he felt for the families affected
by the tragedy and prayed for peace and speedy recov-
ery of the injured children during these trying times.
The Minister emphasized the importance of safety
measures when transporting children, stating that the
well-being of children should always be the top priority.
He called on all bus companies to be safety conscious
and to take all necessary precautions to prevent similar
accidents from occurring in the future.
The Minister’s message comes as investigations into
the cause of the accident continue.
The accident serves as a reminder of the importance
of road safety, especially when it comes to the transpor-
tation of children.
Meanwhile, Minister for Public Works, Transport and
Meteorological Services Filipe Tuisawau has earlier
confirmed that an investigation is currently underway
into this recent accident that occurred involving 74 chil-
dren and one adult in Lautoka.
Minister Tuisawau who was at Aspen’s Lautoka hos-
pital visiting the children stressed that as the Minister
responsible for the Land Transport Authority it is criti-
cal to have safety checks and the need to stick to com-
pliance while on the road.
Minister Tuisawau has directed teams at LTA to con-
duct a thorough investigation in collaboration with
relevant authorities including a review of its licensing
framework and the continuous monitoring of safe-
ty standards to be upheld by Public service providers
while on the road.
The Minister also acknowledged the team at Aspen
for their hardwork including other bystanders who as-
sisted during the accident yesterday.

CITY STAR - THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FROM LAUTOKA

4 ADVERTISEMENT JUNE 25 - JULY 25, 2023

CITY STAR - THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FROM LAUTOKA

JUNE25 - JULY 25, 2023 NEWS 5

Rotary club cleans up Lautoka hospital

Westpac Banking Corporation staff members from Lautoka were also part of the Aspen Volunteers from Lautoka City Council aided in the painting of the railings and car park area at
Lautoka hospital cleanup by the Rotary Club of Lautoka. Photos: Sanjay Goundar the Lautoka hospital

Zareena Bi painting at a later stage.

The Rotary club of Lautoka took up an innovative initiative to clean up and beautify the envi-
ronment around the Aspen medical Lautoka hospital.
During the clean up campaign on June 24, the president of Rotary Lautoka Chirag Parmar
informed that the idea was initiated by the Lautoka club and they managed to reach out to other
organizations for this good cause.
“We have our members in our club from different organizations so we spoke to our members
and managed to get Westpac bank on board for this project.
“As you can see, we have about 30 to 40 people here today and we even have people coming
all the way from Rakiraki and Sigatoka to join us together with Lautoka City council staff and
some Rotary club members from overseas.
“The clean up today is focused on the exterior of the hospital so we are picking up rubbish,
cleaning the fences for the overgrown shrubs, water blasting and painting of the poles and rail-
ings”.
Parmar added that the group also had the marking of the car park to do but since they ran out
of time so they have handed over the materials to Lautoka City Council to continue with the
He revealed that for the clean up and painting the club had sponsorship support from Apco
Coating and Fiji Water who provided water for the volunteers.
“This is the first time we have done this since the hospital has been taken over by Aspen man-
agement and we are considering doing this on a regular basis either quarterly or on six monthly
basis.
“We also have other projects in the pipeline like the wheel chair project and solar light project
which is still in the initial stages as we are trying to partner with clubs overseas who are working
on the expertise, the manpower and the funding.
“We hope to carry out the Solar projects for the schools in the Yasawas.”
Meanwhile, the Executive Director for Culture and Performance at Aspen Medical Lautoka
Edwin Aisake advised that this initiative is welcomed by Aspen Medical.
“There is a general misunderstanding that Aspen is not a part of Ministry of health which is
not correct.
“Aspen medical is very much in partnership with the Ministry of Health so any organization
that wishes to participate in future community service such as this is most welcomed,” Aisake
emphasized.

CITY STAR - THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FROM LAUTOKA

6 NEWS
EDITORIAL COMMENT
Blues end FACT drought
Hyperchem Lautoka FC deservingly won this year’s
Digicel Fiji Football Association Championship
Tournament (Fiji FACT) at the HFC Bank Stadium in
Suva.
They edged the high flying Rewa FC 2-1 after extra time
in the final. This halted the Delta Tigers consecutive
winning run.
And also in the process they ended a 21 year- FACT title
drought dating back to 2002 at home.
It was back then they beat Nasinu 3-2 on penalty kicks
at home.
Two years prior they had won their maiden FACT title
in 2000 beating Nadroga 2-0 in the final at LawaqaPark.
This year’s win is the Blues third ever win overall.
According to the records, the FACT and Battle of the
Giants have not been Lautoka’s favourite
tournaments compared to the Courts Inter- District
Championship.
It was about time the Blues stood again on the victory
podium. Lautoka are one of the biggest associations
under the Fiji FA umbrella boasting a huge number of
investments annually.
But the results have not been able to match the investments.
However, with more focuss on developments as well
LFC is surely reaping the rewards now.
Together with the big name players, prolific coaches
have also had a stint with Lautoka with some acquiring
success while others failed to notch the required results.
This year’s team to the Digicel Fiji FACT improved
immensely from their National League outing.
They worked on their defence and sharpened their attack
to record four wins and a draw.
A big celebration has been planned to commemorate the
historic win.
The players are expected to share the $17,000 first
prizemoney plus the added bonus and gift packs to
acknowledge the achievement of the team.
Players like Zibraaz Saheb, Sairusi Nalaubu, Sitiveni
Cavuilagi, Senirusi Bokini, Saula Waqa, Epeli Leiroti,
Antonio Tuivuna, and young Aporosa Yada’s name
will be etched into the history books as the heroes who
brought victory to the Sugar City.
The focus now shifts to the Digicel Fiji Premier League
but the objective remains the same, to attain success at
all times.
With the players at his disposal, coach Roneel Kumar
is certain more silverwares could be coming their way.
Kumar is proud of his personal achievemnt as well, a
back to back tournament wins, Pacific Cup with Ba last
November and now the Fiji FACT with Lautoka.
All the best to Lautoka FC for the remainder of the
season.
Maika Kasami
Editor.
Team CITY STAR contact Information:
Publisher: Sanjay Goundar
Phone : (679) 996 0129 / 7844836
Email: sanjaygoundar@gmail.com
Editor: Maika Kasami
Phone: (679) 918 9779 / 741 5752
Email: m2kaaz@gmail.com /
citystarnews15@gmail.com
Marketing Manager : Zareena Bi
Phone (679) 932 2621
Office Location: 19 Naviti Street,
Lautoka
Postal : P.O Box 4230, Lautoka
Printer: Universal Print
JUNE 25 - JULY 25, 2023
Housekeeping training facility for Drasa students
Zareena Bi
Underprivileged students from the rural
outskirts of Lautoka will now have more
opportunity to find suitable employment
in the Fijian hospitality industry.
The Drasa Chamber of Hospitality
based at the Drasa Secondary School will
soon have a fully fletched housekeeping
training facility.
According to the Coordinator of
Rotary Fiji school projects Veena Tilly,
the housekeeping training facility is their
new project for this year at the cost of
$63,000.
“At the present moment we have
industry standard kitchen and dining
room training only.
“This will be the third element of the
program and the syllabus for the students
is to be skilled in housekeeping, so they
Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts Aseri Radrodro being served by one of the
know how to make a bed, how to prepare
students of the Drasa Chamber of Hospitality during his visit to the school recently.
the rooms the bathroom and so on.
“When that training facility is finished, working with schools in the Western Tilly added that, since the Covid 19
the students will be able to operate it as Division. pandemic there is a high need for trained
an enterprise, running operations where “We collect donated computers, from hospitality workers in the resorts because
they will book guests online and look the Tasmanian Government where we many of the workers in Fiji are going
after the meet and greet of the guests”. live for half of the year and the other half overseas to New Zealand and Australia
Tilly added that the funding request of the year we live in New South Wales. to work. “Therefore, it is very important
for the project has been approved and “So, we have brought about 3000 for young students coming through to get
hopefully the project will be complete by Computers for about 30 schools in the training so that they can immediately get
August this year. western division. employment in this industry.”
She also informed that she is a member “When we work with the schools we Meanwhile, Minister for Education
of the Rotary club from Nambucca Valley discuss with them, what preparations Aseri Radrodro recently visited the
in New South Wales and together with her need to be done to maintain their school’s catering centre and was very
husband they have been running a project computers and how to use them with the impressed with the training provided to a
called the Rotary Fiji Schools project for students to enhance their education and number of academically weak students to
the last 18 years mainly learning abilities”. prosper in the tourism sector.
Weaving the Past, Present and Future
A weeklong 10th International Lapita
Conference, “Weaving the Past, Present
and the Future”, was recently held at the
University of the South Pacific Laucala
Campus.
The conference, co-organised by the
Fiji Museum, USP and the Ministry of
I-Taukei Affairs, National Heritage and
Arts, focused primarily on the discipline
of archaeology, which studies the mate-
rial remains left behind by people in the
distant or more recent past.
USP’s Deputy Head of the School for
Law and Social Sciences (SoLaSS), Dr
Nicholas Halter, said the conference at-
tracted over 70 participants from around
Fiji, the Pacific and from around the
world, and the number of registrations is
expected to increase over the next four
days.
He added that participants could expect Special performance by USP Laucala campus students during the recent
exciting highlights about this conference International Lapita Conference. Photo: Supplied
with multiple interactive presentations
and dissemination of different topics. The period by colonists. They have settled resources by responding intentionally
panels would also look at how popula- in various locales around the country and to one or most global challenges we now
tions have changed in places like Fiji in have called Fiji their home for genera- face.
response to varying impacts of climate tions. While their story was heartbreak- “To our young Pacific people, proudly
ing, their coming to Fiji, I feel, recon- write about yourselves and your commu-
change.
nects the Lapita journey our forefathers nities, and be the voice for the voiceless
“The first Lapita Conference was held
in 1988. This event brings together ar- had set, and it reinforced the broader in our communities. The Lapita story
chaeologists, people working in various community bond of the Lapita cultures needs to be perpetuated through us, so
museums, Linguists, Historians, and any- and people,” he said. therein lies our calling,” he stressed.
one interested in the history and heritage The President added, “As a traditional The 2023 conference featured over
of Fiji and other Pacific Islands,” Dr Hal- head of a province in Fiji, I would like to 50 presentations, panels and discussions
see more meaningful partnerships regard- from specialists in academic museums,
ter said.
ing research. This includes involving our cultural heritage and artistic studies.
President of the Republic of Fiji, Ratu
Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere, while people from an early stage, especially the The special highlight of the confer-
opening the conference, stated that reach- inception stage, in research design, gov- ence was the five keynote speakers with
ing the tenth (10th) series of this confer- ernance, management, implementation the likes of Emeritus Professor Mathew
ence was an achievement that should be and analysis. Share your findings in the Spriggs, Dr Scarlett Chiu, Professor Da-
applauded, and the theme best captures local language.” vid Burley, Professor Christophe Sand
He was pleased to see the translation and Dr Tarisi Vunidilo, sharing their
the essence of this milestone.
of some Lapita in the local languages knowledge and expertise with delegates.
“I would like to highlight the plight and
existence of our Melanesian community for communities to read, understand, The weeklong conference was fol-
in Fiji. The Solomon Islands and Ni-Van- make connections, and appreciate. The lowed by a field trip on Saturday to the
uatu descendants sadly were forced off President stated that this would help our Sigatoka Sand Dunes and Nakabuta Vil-
their lands and villages to work in our people become key partners and greater lage to close the conference’s activities.
plantations during the blackbirding stewards of their cultural and natural
CITY STAR - THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FROM LAUTOKA
JUNE 25 - JULY 25, 2023 NEWS 7

Yoga for “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”

Sanjay Goundar

The ancient Indian physical, mental and spiritual prac-

tice of Yoga is rapidly becoming a global phenomenon.
On this year’s International Day of Yoga on June 21,
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spearheaded the
festivities at the United Nations (UN) headquarters,
graced by delegates from over 180 nations.
Notably, an estimated 250 million individuals were an-
ticipated to participate in the event, centered around the
theme ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,’ meaning One Earth.
One Future. One Family.
Speaking during the event at the UN headquarter PM
Modi stressed that it is wonderful to see the entire world
coming together for the 9th International Day of Yoga.
He emphasized that Yoga is for everyone, for all ethnic-
ities, for all faiths, for all cultures and is truly universal.
Whilst speaking at the International Yoga Day celebra-
tion at Girmit Centre on June 25, chief executive of the
Lautoka City Council, Mohammed Anees Khan point-
ed out that this day is an excellent opportunity for the
younger generation to learn more about what Yoga is all
about to gain better understanding and knowledge on the
benefits of its practice.
“The International Day of Yoga aims to raise awareness
worldwide of the many benefits of practicing yoga. Yoga lovers at Girmit Centre during the 9th international Yoga Day event in Lautoka on June 25.
“Yoga is more than physical activity. In the words Photos: Sanjay Goundar
of one of its most famous practitioners, the late B.K.S
Iyengar, “Yoga cultivates the ways of maintaining a bal-
anced attitude in day-to-day life and endows skill in the
performance of one’s actions,” Mr Khan highlighted.
Director of the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre
from the Indian High Commission Suva, Nishi Bala in-
formed that under their jurisdiction apart from the cele-
bration this year being held in Suva, it took place in Sea-
qaqa (Vanua Levu), Lautoka and in neighboring Pacific
Island countries of Tonga, Tuvalu, and Kiribati.
Ms Bala added that since 2015 International Yoga Day
is celebrated enthusiastically every year to promote the
numerous benefits of practicing yoga.
“This day serves as a platform to raise awareness about
the holistic approach to wellbeing that yoga offers.
“It highlights the importance of finding balance in our
fast pace modern lives and encourages physical, mental
and spiritual harmony.
“Yoga not only keeps you fit and boost immunity but
also helps to recover from the physical and mental stress
as well as non-communicable diseases such as diabetes,
hyper tension, obesity and arthritis.
“Yoga strengthens and stabilizes the spine relieving
backpain, stress, anxiety, helps in weight reduction main-
taining your metabolism and increases flexibility. “
She also informed that the regular yoga classes at the
Swami Vivekananda Culture Centre Director Nishi Bala (1st left) and Second Secretary of Indian High Commission
Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Suva is very pop-
Ashok Kumar Singh (right) with Yoga lovers in Lautoka
ular with yoga lovers in Fiji
Meanwhile, the practice of Yoga is believed to have
started with the very dawn of civilization.
The science of yoga has its origin thousands of years
ago, long before the first religions or belief systems were
born. In the yogic lore, Shiva is seen as the first yogi or
Adiyogi, and the first Guru or Adi Guru. Several Thou-
sand years ago, on the banks of the lake Kantisarovar in
the Himalayas, Adiyogi poured his profound knowledge
into the legendary Saptarishis or “seven sages”.
The sages carried this powerful yogic science to differ-
ent parts of the world, including Asia, the Middle East,
Northern Africa and South America. Interestingly, mod-
ern scholars have noted and marvelled at the close par-
allels found between ancient cultures across the globe.
However, it was in India that the yogic system found its
fullest expression.
Agastya, the Saptarishi who travelled across the Indian
subcontinent, crafted this culture around a core yogic
way of life. Historical evidences of the existence
of Yoga were seen in the pre-Vedic period (2700
B.C.), and thereafter till Patanjali’s period. The main
sources, from which we get the information about
Yoga practices and the related literature during this Retired Lautoka primary school teacher Gayatri Dutt regularly practices Yoga to keep herself fit and healthy.
period, are available in Vedas

CITY STAR - THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FROM LAUTOKA

8 NEWS JUNE 25 - JULY 25, 2023

Class of 93 gives back to school

Sanjay Goundar

Vivid memories of young school days were refreshened as

classmates from 30 years back came together from different
parts of the world to visit their old primary school.
Year 8 Students from the batch of 1993 of Lautoka Arya
Samaj Primary School as part of their reunion recently came
together to make a special visit to the place where they had
spent almost eight years of their childhood.
Coordinator for the reunion Cain Nischol revealed that
most of the classmates met after almost 30 years.
Nischol who came all the way from Canada informed that
he initiated the idea of the reunion in Fiji in 2011 for all ex-
Arya Samaj students of 1993.
“Though it was a mammoth task for me to locate a number
of our classmates on social media I did manage to get a
number our friends from Fiji, Australia, New Zealand and
Canada on a messenger group.
“From 2011 talks started but there were few delays on the
way and the Covid pandemic made things more difficult.
“But most of us made a commitment to meet in Fiji for
the reunion in June 2023 and one of the main priorities of
us coming together was to take out a special day to visit the
place from where everything started.”
On June 17 the group met with the teachers at Lautoka Arya Samaj Primary School classmates from 1993 handing over their generous donation to the school’s Assistant Head
Arya Samaj Primary School and made a cash donation of Teacher Santi Narayan (3rd from right front row). Photo: Maika Kasami
$1,350.00.
According to Nischol this school has played a pivotal role their visitation. “We relived all the memories of our former classmates for making this reunion a great success
in the success of all his classmates. eight years at the school and will return to our individual and special thanks and appreciation goes to brother Ajnil
He informed that they all became very emotional and destinations with much more memories to cherish for the Singh for organizing most of the things in Fiji and making
easily got connected to the school environment soon after rest of our lives. At this juncture I would like to thank all our our reunion very memorable.”

286 youths graduate from Duke of Edinburgh program

Lautoka Andhra College Principal Aruna Singh with one of her school’s bronze medal Minister for Youth and Sports Jese Saukuru presenting students from the western
winners at Duke of Edinburgh’s International Awards Graduation division with their respective awards for participating in the Duke of Edinburgh
program. Photos: Supplied

The Minister for Youth and Sports Jese Saukuru con-
gratulated 286 youth at the Western Division during the
Duke Edinburgh’s International Awards Graduation,
yesterday at the Fiji National University, Natabua Cam-
pus (24:06:23).
Minister Saukuru acknowledged all who were present
at the event, thanking them for their never-ending sup-
port and encouragement shown towards these students
and their efforts in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Internation-
al Awards.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is
available to all 14 to 24 year olds and 286 vibrant young
people have joined the Foundation uninspiring over 8
millions of young people across the world. The Award
is internationally recognised and is the world’s leading
youth achievement Awards.
Minister Saukuru said the Government will continue
to provide advocacy programmes targeted at creating
sustainable livelihood for each young person. With the
Ministry of Youth and Sports being the lead Ministry in
Non-formal education, Programs such as the Duke of
Edinburgh’s International Award is targeted at empow-
erment training specifically in developing the young
minds of our future leaders.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Awards was
founded by His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh
with a German educationalist Kurt Hahn in 1956.
Minister Saukuru congratulated 165 Bronze, 61 Silver
and 59 Gold Recipients this year at FNU, Natabua.
Since the early 1990s the Ministry of Youth and Sports
has been the National Award Operator coordinating the
program in conjunction with the Ministry of Education
through the respective participating Secondary Schools
and Youth Clubs.
“To the students who will be awarded with the Bronze
Award, you are still two steps away from reaching the
Gold level. I urge you to keep going and to complete the
last hurdles of the challenge.”
Minister Saukuru challenged students of all second-
ary schools and youth clubs members to have more re-
cipients under the award program and apply the same
concept of learning through the non-formal education
system.
Before concluding, Minister Saukuru reiterated to the
Youths that the Coalition Governments will continue
their unwavering commitment to the development of
youth in the county.
“The Coalition Government recognises that for youth
in our nation to reach the pinnacle of success and to
maintain holistic and sustainable growth,
“We must channel substantive and consistent effort
towards the development of young people.”
Minister Saukuru congratulated all the awardees and
wished them the very best in their future endeavours.

CITY STAR - THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FROM LAUTOKA

JUNE 25 - JULY 25, 2023 ADVERTISEMENT 9

CITY STAR - THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FROM LAUTOKA

10 AGRICULTURAL FEATURE JUNE 25 - JULY 25, 2023

Evaluation of Field & its Surroundings

It is important to collect as much information as possible to manage
the crop properly.
Water availability: It will tell us how much area we can grow and
when to plant (in the case of seasonality). Make sure the water is enough
to finish the crop cycle, especially during dry months.
Water pH: It gives us information about the level of acidity of the
water to be used. If pH is too high or too low the nutrients will not be
available for the roots.
Soil Texture: Provides important information to take decision in terms
of water management and distances between drippers. The more sand,
the more frequently we have to apply water.
Problems on weeds and old crops: Gives us information about the
types of problems (insects and diseases) that we would expect during
the crop cycle and helps us to have a preventative and curative strategy
of control. Sometimes it is necessary to change the crop family when we
find too many problems related to specific crops.
Flooding: We cannot grow under flooded conditions so be careful
when selecting areas during rainy months.

CITY STAR - THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FROM LAUTOKA

JUNE 25 - MAY 25, 2023 INTERNATIONAL NEWS 11

Why the Pakistan crisis spells trouble for Indo-Pacific region

David Brewster (the interpreter)
Pakistan is undergoing a protracted
political and economic crisis, putting it on
track to become a significant problem for the
Indo-Pacific region. The country’s political
instability and prospects of economic default
are likely to have far-reaching consequences,
including in Pakistan’s standoff with India
and its role as China’s regional proxy.
Pakistan’s current political upheaval not
only threatens the government under Prime
Minister Shehbaz Sharif, but also the Army’s
role in Pakistan politics. At the same time,
years of economic mismanagement are
coming home to roost. Pakistan now finds
itself unable to repay loans used to fund
deficits and wasteful and corrupt projects,
including through the China–Pakistan
Economic Corridor (CPEC).
A default on Pakistan’s external debts,
which stood at US$126 billion as at the end
of 2022, now seems increasingly likely.
Many believe that Pakistan can avoid a debt
default this month only with the release of
another tranche of IMF funds. Multinational
companies are exiting the country, while
Pakistan International Airlines aircraft are
being seized by creditors.
Large numbers of Pakistanis, many of
them educated middle-class, are leaving to
find better futures, including some 800,000
people in 2022. These departures will
increasingly involve more desperate means
– as shown by the more than 300 Pakistanis
who died in the recent refugee boat disaster
off Greece. Australia, too, may see a surge in
arrivals from Pakistan.
Unfortunately, Pakistan has an ever-
decreasing number of friends to help it out
of the crisis. Washington has little interest in
bailing Islamabad (and its Chinese creditors)
out of the hole that it has dug for itself.
Pakistan’s role in the fall of Kabul is well
remembered and US aid has slowed to a
trickle.
Even Islamabad’s Middle Eastern partners
are losing interest. Traditional backers such
as Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and
Qatar are reportedly reluctant to provide
further bailouts. In February, in what was
seen as a slap in the face, Türkiye’s President
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan used Twitter to cancel
a planned visit by Prime Minister Shehbaz.
Pakistan has also lost sympathy with
multilateral lenders. The International
Monetary Fund strongly criticised Pakistan’s
recent budget, which raised salaries for
public servants and gave new tax breaks to
the wealthy. It seems unlikely that the IMF
will release a US$1.1 billion tranche of
funding over the next couple of weeks. The
World Bank has also restricted funding to
Pakistan. Pakistan’s case has not been helped
by the recent announcement of major defence
acquisitions by the military.
The Pakistan Finance Minister Ishaq Dar
has claimed that “global institutions” are
trying to push Pakistan into a debt default.
Whether or not this is true, it is clear that
China will likely be the lender of last resort.
Pakistan’s political upheavals are
intensifying in the run-up to an election, due
in October. Shehbaz Sharif came to power
in April 2022 after former Prime Minister
Imran Khan lost the support of the Pakistan
military. Khan has never accepted this loss
or the current government’s attempts to jail
him. His populist and reformist agenda and
relatively clean reputation have given him
broad support.
Khan’s arrest in May led to widespread
riots around the country, including attacks
against Army headquarters and the takeover
by a mob of a senior commander’s official
residence, seemingly without intervention
from army guards. There were rumours of
senior commanders refusing to obey the
orders of Army Chief, General Asim Munir.
This was an extraordinary set of events for a
country where the Army is considered to be
all powerful.
The government and military have
responded forcefully to the riots. Dozens of
senior figures in Khan’s political party have
resigned, fled overseas or been arrested. The
Pakistan press has reportedly been ordered to
stop covering him. The Army is seeking to
have protesters tried in military courts.
Concerns about the possibility of a split
within the military in the face of a popular
revolt have led the Army to clean out Khan
supporters in its senior ranks, although he
may still have considerable support within
the military. This makes the current situation
potentially much more serious than previous
upheavals.
When the economic crisis comes to a head,
likely in coming weeks, Pakistan may find
itself in a tougher position compared with
Sri Lanka, which experienced an economic
and political meltdown last year. That was
contained through emergency assistance
from India, allowing Sri Lanka time to
renegotiate loans with international lenders.
A meltdown in Pakistan would have a
much greater impact on the region. Further
large-scale riots or divisions within the Army
will sorely tempt military leaders to play the
India card, as they have in the past. It would
be easy to manufacture a crisis in Kashmir
or a cross-border attack by extremists, with
the knowledge that India would be almost
compelled to respond.
Pakistan will also become even more
beholden to China. Beijing has many reasons
not to allow a Pakistan economic collapse, but
its willingness to throw more funding into a
“black hole” or to forgive existing loans may
be limited. Whatever Beijing may agree on
debt renegotiation (such as its recent rollover
of a US$1 billion loan) will likely require
significant concessions from Islamabad.
This may involve granting China additional
access rights to Gwadar port and airfield and
other military facilities in Pakistan, including
in wartime contingencies. This will firmly
establish China’s military presence in the
western Indian Ocean.
Russia could also increase its presence. It
has been building the defence relationship
with Pakistan, including joint training,
exercises, intelligence cooperation and the
supply of advanced helicopters. Moscow
is looking to ramp up its presence in the
region, including a naval base in Sudan and
bases elsewhere in Africa. Access to Pakistan
facilities is not an impossible scenario.
A poor and unstable Pakistan is in no one’s
interests. UN projections estimate Pakistan’s
population at some 330 million by 2050.
Perhaps Pakistan’s problems will remain
contained within its borders, but that seems
unlikely based on history.
Australia can’t do much to affect current
events but it does need to maintain influence
with Islamabad for what could be a rocky
future. That may mean making investments
in the relationship beyond what some might
think is justified.

India’s G20 Presidency: An opportunity to steer the world

towards inclusive and Sustainable Growth
India’s G20 Presidency this year presents an exceptional
opportunity for the country to spearhead a collective approach
to tackle multiple, complex, and interconnected challenges,
while placing, front and center, the aspirations and needs of the
developing world.
The COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain disruptions, climate
change, food and energy security risks, geopolitical tensions,
inflation, and a looming debt crisis all contribute to economic
slowdown and uncertainty in global economic growth.
India has identified a wide array of cutting-edge priorities
that are being deliberated by various G20 working groups, to
help address the key challenges we face and to plan for a better
future. Let me highlight three of them.
The first agenda relates to financing tomorrow’s cities and
establishing them as the foremost engines of economic growth.
While cities generate over 80% of global gross domestic
product, unplanned and rapid urbanization constrain their
economic potential. It is estimated that by 2050, nearly twice
as many people will live in cities. To sustain their economic
potential, cities need to become more livable through upgraded
infrastructure and services, such as reliable water, transport,
power, waste management, and affordable housing.
in scaling up solar energy, along with recently announced climate change and health), strengthening cooperation in the
Cities must also be nurtured as hubs for entrepreneurship,
programs such as the National Hydrogen Mission, Production- pharmaceutical sector, and leveraging digital health innovations
jobs, and skill development. This requires massive investments
Linked Incentives for electric vehicles and the manufacture of and solutions to aid universal health coverage, is critical
in smart, sustainable, and resilient urban infrastructure.
solar technologies and battery energy storage, and incentive ADB is mainstreaming just energy transition within all of its
Globally, roughly $5.5 trillion needs to be invested in urban
mechanisms for supporting offshore wind, all allow the country operations. It will work with the government and large financial
infrastructure annually over the next 15 years. The private
to lead by example and drive global collaboration to reduce the intermediaries in establishing pools of low-cost finance to
sector is an important partner in these needed investments. The
cost of achieving net-zero emission. fund residential solar rooftop, electric vehicles, and energy
G20 platform could be used to mobilize international support
The third agenda relates to health care. The COVID-19 storage investments. In partnership with the International Solar
to bridge this financing need.
pandemic highlighted the compelling need for a united global Alliance, ADB is supporting the government in developing a
The second agenda where India can lead the way is in
approach to fortify health systems to effectively address virtual Center of Excellence on Green Hydrogen.
energy transition. Enabling an orderly and just transition from
emerging health crises. India’s G20 Presidency is a medium ADB is discussing the development of a Climate and Health
carbon-intensive energy to renewable energy would not only
of change towards more resilient, responsive, and sustainable Hub (CHH) to galvanize local, regional, and global climate and
help combat climate change, but also help bolster energy
health systems and to advance previously established G20 health actions under India’s G20 Presidency. ADB supports the
security, raise economic productivity and create jobs, improve
pandemic preparedness efforts. G20 Presidency’s Global Initiative on Digital Health and in
environmental outcomes, and prune health costs. In other
G20 can help shape a global health agenda focused on transforming the National Centre for Disease Control into a
words, decarbonization is development.
ensuring universal, affordable, and quality health services. Regional Center for Disease Control with global reach.
Today, India is the world’s third-largest producer of renewable
Giving priority to enhancing health emergency prevention and This article was written by Takeo Konishi, Country Di-
energy, with further expansion underway. India’s success
preparedness (with focus on One Health and linkages between

CITY STAR - THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FROM LAUTOKA

12 SPORTS JUNE 25 - JULY 25, 2023

Crusaders 7th straight Super Rugby title

Source: News24

The Crusaders claimed a seventh straight title with a 25-20 win

over the Chiefs in the Super Rugby Pacific final on Saturday in
coach Scott Robertson’s swansong before he moves to the All
Blacks after the Rugby World Cup.
The Chiefs led 20-15 early in the second half, but the
Crusaders fought back with Codie Taylor grabbing a converted
try before Richie Mo’unga slotted a late penalty.
This was Robertson’s final match with the Crusaders before
leaving to coach the All Blacks after the Rugby World Cup,
which kicks off in September.
Under his stewardship, the Christchurch-based franchise has
won a perfect set of seven consecutive titles since 2017.
The match turned in the 72nd minute when Chiefs co-skipper
and All Blacks captain Sam Cane was shown a yellow card.
From the resulting penalty, Test veteran Taylor was driven
across for his 42nd career try, setting the record for the most
tries by a forward in Super Rugby.
Roared on by their home crowd, the Chiefs’ best chance of
victory was a missed long-range penalty attempt from fly-half
Damian McKenzie.
Mo’unga rounded out the scoring with a penalty after the final
hooter, sparking emotional scenes among a Crusaders side who
were missing seven All Blacks through injury.
Taylor, who scored two tries on the night, revealed the players
were motivated to win for their departing personnel including
Mo’unga and Sam Whitelock.
“I’m lost for words, just so proud of the effort,” Taylor told
Sky Sport. The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua taking on the Chiefs at Churchill Park in Lautoka this year. The Chiefs marched on to the
“I can’t get the fact out of my head that the boys are leaving grand final of the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific but just could not match the Crusaders who have won their seventh straight
and how much it means to them. It’s special. All the boys title. Photo: Sanjay Goundar.
leaving really stood up tonight. Retallick and Brad Weber -- were playing their last game Anton Lienert-Brown and Luke Jacobson before Cane was
“Can’t take anything from the Chiefs, they threw everything before heading overseas. also sin-binned.
at us. We just managed to hang in there.” The Crusaders led 15-10 at half-time but the margin could Weber lamented their lack of discipline.
It was a heartbreaking result for the Chiefs, who appeared have been greater after they dominated possession, helped by “It sucks, this crowd deserved to see us win tonight and jeez,
to have the firepower to end a decade-long title drought after the Chiefs’ ill discipline. if we had done it with 14 men for 30 minutes it would have
dropping only one game in the regular season. The home side were forced to play with 14 men for two been a hell of a story to tell,” he said.
Two long-serving Chiefs players -- All Blacks Brodie 10-minute periods following yellow cards to All Blacks “To come up just short... it’s devastating.”

Rewa to bounce back

Hyperchem Lautoka
FC left midfielder
Aporosa Yada (left)
battles against Rewa
FC in the final of the
Digicel Fiji FACT
2023. Rewa nows
shifts its focus to de-
fending the National
League title.
Photo: Fiji Live/
Kunal Keshneel.

Maika Kasami and that’s something we don’t want to carry

Digicel Fiji Premier League leaders Rewa
FC is set to bounce back following its 1- 2
loss to Lautoka in the Digicel Fiji FACT fi-
nal.
Rewa coach Roderick Singh said they
have reflected on their performance on the
unsuccessful attempt at the tournament a
week ago.
Singh said they are working around ball
transition and game discipline ahead of the
start of the second round.
“The focus is on the remaining league
matches and we have to defend our title at
any cost. We lost a lot of ball in transitions
because we were slow at the turning point
into the league.”
He said they will need to stop playing
catch up games and be quick in sending balls
from one player to another.
Singh said they will deal with some inju-
ries but those available will need to step up.
“Iowane Matanisiga and Emori Ragata
were injured and may be unavailable for
our next game so we will look to our youth
players who had some game time during the
tournament. They need more game time un-
der their belt and we are confident they will
fill the big shoes.”
Rewa face Labasa in round 10 of the
DFPL.

CITY STAR - THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FROM LAUTOKA

JUNE 25 - JULY 25, 2023 SPORTS 13

Tanoa Sports Day of fun and enjoyment

The Tanoa International Hotel soccer team pose before the start of the Sports Day on June 17 The Tanoa Waterfront Hotel in Lautoka hosted the Tanoa Hotel Group Sports Day held on June
in Lautoka. 17. The staff enjoyed various games with the main objective being to enjoy and celebrate the
day in each others company. Photos: Sanjay Goundar.

Maika Kasami
Sports Days are not just about competition and winning but it’s the testament to
sportsmanship and team work.
The Tanoa Hotel Group had their annual sports day on June 17 at Tanoa Waterfront
Hotel in Lautoka.
Reddy Group IT Business Analyst Prabesh Gounder who is based in Auckland, New
Zealand was the chief guest.
Gounder said sports days plays a pivotal role in our lives.
“It is a day when we come together as Tanoa, celebrating with our friends and
colleagues and fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie. They teach us a valuable
lesson in life.”
Tanoa Hotel Group Area General Manager Narend Kumar commended the
commitment shown by Gounder to be part of their Sports Day.
Kumar said it is the Tanoa way to have fun and celebrate success after a hectic few
months post COVID.
“The last six to eight months has been busy. So this Sports Day is very timely for the
Tanoa family to come together, it is all about mingling with each other, getting to know
the new recruits to enjoy with them, have fun.”
He said there are plans to hold the event on a quarterly basis which would be confirmed
later.
Kumar thanked all the teams for their hard work towards the Tanoa family.
“There are lots of cross training occurring within Tanoa and this was the opportune
time to know one another.”

Lautoka Primary School proud of swimmers

Maika Kasami

Year 6 and Year 8 students of Lautoka Primary School

Ethan Thomas and Hazelyn Naisake have made their school
proud by winning medals following the completion of the
National Swimming Competition on June 9-10 at the Suva
Olympics Pool.
The pair are members of the Great White Shark Club who
train daily after school at the Northern Club.
They competed against some very well trained swimmers
and did a splendorous job.
They managed to grab 2-gold, 1-silver and 1-bronze, which
according to the school is an astonishing achievement.
Thomas scooped gold in the under 11-12 50m Butterfly
and 100m butterfly events.
Naisake settled for silver in the Girls U13-19 200m
freestyle and bronze in the U13-14 50m backstroke event.
The school team manager Mrs Premila Mani said the two
swimmers did a great battle with the other experienced and
skilled swimmers.
“The LPS Family is overwhelmed with their achievements
and we would like to congratulate them both for making the
school proud and being great ambassadors of the school.”
The two swimmers were inspired by Mr. Tausia Alifereti,
Lautoka Primary School were honoured to celebrate and recognise the achievements of Ethan Thomas and Hazelyn
who is the school manager.
Naisake who won medals at the recent National Swimming Championship in Suva. Photo: Supplied.

Drua fans in Canada happy

Thousands of miles away from homeland Fiji, a group of Swire Shipping Fijian Drua fans
gathered in Surrey, BC, Canada to watch their favourite team in action against the champion
Crusaders, in Christchurch, New Zealand on June 10.
Unfortunately, the end result was bit saddening for the group in which Crusaders beat Drua in
its first ever quarterfinal appearance 49-8.
Mr Zaim Khan, who migrated to Canada, in 2011, says despite the loss they’re proud of Drua’s
performance throughout the season.
“Even though it wasn’t the result we expected, we’re still proud of the boys. Ever since the
season started until now, we are so proud of the boys, we’ve reached the quarter-finals”.
“For them to reach the quarter-final is an achievement in itself. I’m so proud and I wish them
all the best next season,” said Vinesh Lal, who joined the group watching along with friends.
The Crusaders went on to thump the Blues 52-15 in the semi-finals while the Chiefs accounted
for lone Australian side the Brumbies 19-6.
The Chiefs hosted the Crusaders in the grand final in Hamilton on June 24.

The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua raised eyebrows to reach the Super Rugby Pacific top eight
for the first time in only two years in the competition. Photo: Sanjay Goundar.

CITY STAR - THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FROM LAUTOKA

14
New champs at Lautoka Golf Club
Golfers came out in full force during the ICS Diamond Tools sponsored event. With the course in Lautoka Golf Club executive Raymond Singh (right) and Davendra
tip top condition some good scores were recorded.
Maika Kasami
New champions are being crowned every weekend at the Lautoka Golf Club.
On Week 4 of competition, LGC chairman of trustees Raymond Singh and former
Fiji Football Association referee Davendra Mudaliar took out top honours during
the ICS Diamond Tools sponsored event on June 17.
The pair registered a commendable score of 61.24 to beat the rest of the field.
Former Tavua and Lautoka Football rep Lawrence Naidu paired Sanjay Raj to
finish second. Bobby Reddy and Chander Shekhar netted 62.35 for a close third
finish.
The Father and son combination of Manuwal Kumar and Caleb Kumar settled for
fourth spot on 63.75.
CITY STAR - THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FROM LAUTOKA
SPORTS JUNE 25 - JULY 25, 2023
Mudaliar were crowned the winners during the ICS Diamond Tools
sponsored Ambrose event on June 17. Photo: Maika Kasami.
The ever- improving duo of Rajiv Lal and Abinesh Dass convincingly won the
beginners category on 70.5.
NTP (Nearet to the Pin) on the second hole to Reginal Ram and Alex Qiokata on
the 9th hole.
Lawrence Naidu hit the longest drive on the third hole.
Tournament organiser Reginal Ram thanked all members who were part of the
ICS Diamond Tools sponsored Ambrose event.
Other results: Asish Kumar/Abdul Jalal 64.5, James Krishna/Vinesh Murti 64.5,
Maika Kasami/ Reggie Ram 64.5, Vinod Chand/ Pritam Singh 64.75, Navi Vakaruru/
Praveer Chand 64.75, Alex Qiokata/ Noor Ali 65.75.
Location: Nede Street Lautoka Opposite Clyde Equipment (Pacific) Limited
For Appointments Contact us on: 2823060
JUNE 25 - JULY 25, 2023 SPORTS 15

USA to host Club World Cup 2025

Source: ESPN Sports

The United States will host the Club World Cup in 2025, the
first time the FIFA tournament will have 32 teams.
Real Madrid and Chelsea already earned places as recent
Champions League winners for the expanded tournament line-
up that is set to test stadiums and operations one year before
the 2026 World Cup.
The U.S. will host the men’s World Cup with Canada and
Mexico, and FIFA could yet give some Club World Cup games
to those countries.
The Club World Cup will take place in June-July 2025. The
U.S. was chosen as host during an online meeting of the FIFA
Council.
FIFA praised “the United States’ position as a proven leader
in staging global events and because it would allow FIFA to
maximize synergies with the delivery” of the 2026 tournament.
The Seattle Sounders FC also are in the line-up for the Club
World Cup as the 2022 champion of North American football
region Concacaf. The Americans are likely to get another entry
as the host nation.
Storied European teams have visited the United States for
preseason friendly games for years but the expanded club tour-
nament will give fans a rare chance to see 12 of them play
competitive games.
Teams like Chelsea FC[pictured} and Manchester City could be part of the 2025 Club World Cup to be held in the USA.
FIFA said in March the basic qualification path for clubs was Japanese technology investor SoftBank provoked anger
to win a continental championship in any of the four years from The influential European Club Association said in March it from European football officials who saw it as secretive and an
2021 to 2024 in the five main confederations: Africa, Asia, Eu- hoped for talks with FIFA on how to manage the commercial overreach by FIFA. FIFA got agreement in 2019 for a 24-team
rope, North America and South America. rights. event to launch in June 2021 in China, but that was cancelled
Europe with 12 teams and South America with six are the The format for a Club World Cup lasting about three weeks because of the coronavirus pandemic before commercial de-
only continents with more than four entries. Extra places are has yet to be decided. One option is guaranteeing the 32 teams tails had been confirmed.
expected to be awarded according to team rankings by results a at least three games each playing in eight groups of four. FIFA came back with a fresh Club World Cup plan after the
four-year span in continental competitions. The eight group winners could then advance to the quarter- Super League project led by an elite group of clubs quickly
The current seven-team Club World Cup for continental finals. That would create a tournament of 56 games if a third- failed in April 2021 while causing turmoil for European foot-
champions played every season creates little broad appeal and place game is included. ball body UEFA. Other teams already qualified for the 2025
FIFA has long wanted to stage a full-sized tournament every The current annual Club World Cup format will continue Club World Cup are: Palmeiras (Brazil), Flamengo (Brazil),
four years. with a final edition scheduled for December in Saudi Arabia. Monterrey (Mexico), Leon (Mexico), Al-Ahly (Egypt), Wydad
This expanded version in 2025 is a huge commercial oppor- Reviving the Club World Cup was a priority for FIFA pres- Casablanca (Morocco), Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan) and Al
tunity for FIFA to try new broadcasting models and sign new ident Gianni Infantino on being elected in 2016, but his first Hilal (Saudi Arabia).
sponsors, funding hundreds of millions of dollars in prize mon- project plan was blocked. A Saudi-linked $25 billion deal with
ey for the clubs.

Fiji U20 make positive start

France Under 20 rugby team after being crowned the 2020 world champions. They defend
their title this year in South Africa.
Maika Kasami
The Fiji Under 20 rugby team made a strong
start to their Rugby World campaign with a
hard fought 46 – 37 loss to the Junior Walla-
bies in South Africa.
This was the best ever start a Fijian side has
ever made against the top tier sides and Head
Coach Ifereimi Rawaqa and the coaching staff
and the players should be congratulated.
The Fiji U side went down 46-37 in a hotly
contested match.
In the other results, South Africa beat Geor-
gia 33-23, Wales narrowly went down to New
Zealand 26-27, defending champions France
hammered Japan 75-12, Argentina convinc-
ingly won over Italy 43-15 while England and
Ireland played to a 34-all draw.
Meanwhile, the World Rugby under 20
Championship (known as the IRB Junior
World Championship until 2014) is an inter-
national rugby union competition. The event
is organised by the sport’s governing body,
World Rugby, and is contested by 12 men’s
junior national teams with an under-20 age re-
quirement. This event replaced the IRB’s for-
mer age-grade world championships, the Un-
der 19 and Under 21 World Championships.
The inaugural tournament was held in June
2008, hosted by Wales and with 16 teams par-
ticipating. Wales was announced as host for
the inaugural tournament in November 2007.
The number of participating nations was re-
duced to 12 before the 2010 tournament due to
financial reasons.
The U20 Championship is the upper level
of the World Rugby tournament structure for
under-20 national sides. At the same time that
the U20 Championship was launched, World
Rugby (then known as the International Rugby
Board) also launched a second-level competi-
tion, the U20 Trophy, featuring eight teams.
Promotion and relegation between the Tro-
phy and the Championship is in place. The
winner of the Trophy will play in next year’s
Championship, while the last placed team at
the Championship will be relegated to the Tro-
phy for the next year.

CITY STAR - THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FROM LAUTOKA

16 JUNE 25 - JULY 25, 2023

Maika Kasami
Blues to celebrate FACT win
The Hyperchem Lautoka FC team is all set
to celebrate their 2023 Digicel Fiji FACT win
on July 1.
The Blues collected a cool $17,000 plus
gold medals on June 18 after defeating Rewa
2-1 after extra time at the HFC Bank Stadium
in Suva.
The Sugar City side became the only team
besides Suva to halt the Reds unbeaten run.
The Capital City side had beat Rewa in the
two legged decider for the OFC Champions
League.
Lautoka FC won four out of five games at
the FACT with Ba being the only team to share
a point with the Blues in their 1-all final pool
match.
It’s been a while since a major football cel-
ebration was held in Lautoka and this time
around fans and people alike are expecting
large gathering with the Sugar City to be
painted Blue. Players are expected to be hand-
somely rewarded for their hard work during
the two-week tournament.
Coach Roneel Kumar has proven lucky for
Lautoka as he has managed to put together a
winning team that ended a 21-year drought
dating back to 2002.
Kumar, himself had won many FACT titles
as a player for Ba and will now also have the The Hyperchem Lautoka FC side parade before facing Rewa FC in the grand final of the Digicel Fiji FACT 2023 at the HFC Bank Stadium in
opportunity to celebrate with a couple of Ba Suva. Lautoka went on to beat Rewa 2-1. Photo: FijiLive/Kunal Keshneel.
players in the team like Manasa Nawakula,
are currently on a two-week break and will re- League matches will be played at Churchill of the second round, Lautoka will hope to-
Saula Waqa and Sitiveni Cavuilagi. The Blues
sume their National League matches on July 2 Park with the return match against Tavua the bring on their form from the Fiji FACT in thi-
after the celebrations. Most of their only away fixture at this stage. With the start business end of competition.

Maroons vow clean sweep

Source: nrl.com

Queensland players have vowed to heap further humiliation on their Blues oppo-
nents by completing the first Origin series clean sweep in 13 years in front of NSW
fans at Accor Stadium on July 12.
After winning the opening two matches to retain the State of Origin Shield, the Ma-
roons now have a chance to join the 1988, 1989, 1995 and 2010 Queensland teams
which achieved 3-0 series triumphs.
The Blues have not completed a clean sweep since 2000, and only previously
achieved the feat in 1986 and 1996.
In the wake of Wednesday night’s 32-6 victory at Suncorp Stadium, Maroons players
spoke about their shot at history under Coach Billy Slater.
“I’ve never been in a situation like this, to win the first two games,” Kangaroos cen-
tre Valentine Holmes told NRL.com.
“We have spoken about it and we want to create history with this team that we have
made and that Billy and our coaching staff and selectors have created.
“It is a fantastic team, it is a strong team; strong minded and tenacious. I believe in
this team that we can get the job done. I know people will call it a dead rubber but
there is no such thing in Origin.
“It is going to be a pretty tough game, NSW will be up for and it is going to be a
hostile crowd but as long as we are all fit and healthy, and have a good training week,
I feel like we can get it done.”
The Queensland Maroons proved too good in the State of Origin 2023 and have won the
three-match series with two-wins with a game to spare. Photo: Supplied

CITY STAR - THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FROM LAUTOKA