MAY / JUNE 2014 COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER OF THE SIGATOKA TOWN COUNCIL ISSUE NUMBER 8

Sigatoka Day
People of Nadroga and Navosa unite to celebrate the 78th anniversary of their town
By MARGARET NAQIRI
It was a historic day for the peo-
ple of Sigatoka when the town cel-
ebrated its 78th anniversary on the
main street with lots of entertain-
ment, food and drinks culminating
with spectacular reworks as the
main highlight of the event on Satur-
day, May 31.
Being the rst ever event of its
kind to be celebrated by any town in
the country, the Sigatoka Day which
has been initiated by the Sigatoka
Town Council with various sponsors
and stakeholders as an annual event
from this year onwards was celebrat-
ed for 12-hours from 10am 10pm.
This is such a wonderful experi-
ence, Sigatoka Town is a very small
town with a very big heart and what
makes the town very special are all
of you here tonight, special admin-
istrator Jay Whyte said in his ofcial
address.
Mr Whyte also presented the in-
augural community service awards
to longtime resident Bob Kennedy,
Mrs Matavesi, business tycoon Kan-
ti Tappoo, Fijis rst ever Olympic
gold medalist Iliesa Delana and Nad-
roga Rugby Union president Tiko
Matawalu for their achievements and
contributions to the town.
Acting Prime Minister and Attor-
ney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum
who also hails from the province
talked about fond memories of his
childhood and growing up in Siga-
toka.
It is very important for those
who have the memories of the old
times and those of the younger ones
have memories of now to cherish
those memories because its only
history, a sense of belonging that
builds any town, city, any country
and its also very important to have
a sense of loyalty to where you come
from and be loyal to our country and
its only in this way that our country
will progress, Sayed-Khaiyum said.
Sayed-Khaiyum also thanked the
special administrator Jay Whyte for
his great service to the township and
the province as a whole for free with-
out any remuneration.
It is important for any town to
move with the time, and in the next
few weeks we are putting some sig-
nicant changes in the law to ensure
that Sigatoka Town progresses. We
will be contributing $200,000 dollars
towards the upgrade of the Sigatoka
market, Sayed-Khaiyum said.
Sigatoka was declared a town
on June 1, 1936 by the then Colo-
nial Government and has ever since
grown to become one of the biggest
contributors to our tourism, sporting
and agricultural sectors.
The Sigatoka Town Council wish-
es to thank the following key spon-
sors: Coral Coast Chapter of Fiji
Islands Hotel and Tourism Associa-
tion, Tappoo Group, Coastal Rental
Cars, Sigatoka River Safari, Life
Insurance Corporation of India, Fiji
Development Bank, Chicken Ex-
press and everyone who has contrib-
uted towards the inaugural Sigatoka
Day in one way or another.
Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum who hails from Nadroga cuts the commemorative
cake along with other residents and natives of the Nadroga and Navosa Province and special
administrator Jay Whyte during the Sigatoka Day celebrations on Saturday, May 31. Photo:
MARGARET NAQIRI. More photos on page 3 and on www.facebook.com/thestallionnewspa-
per.
Email:- stallionnewspaper@gmail.com www.thestallionnewspaper.com
THE STALLION - COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER OF SIGATOKA 2
ON THE BRIGHT SIDE
PRINTED BY DAVUI PRINTERY LIMITED, 12 BAKA PLACE, LAUCALA BEACH ESTATE, SUVA
Phone: (679) 3394755. LAYOUT BY SHALENDRA PRASAD & MUNAUWAR KHAN
THE STALLION is published monthly by SHAMBU ADVERTISING
on behalf of the SIGATOKA TOWN COUNCIL
PUBLISHER : SHALENDRA PRASAD Cell: 9232073
PHONE : (679) 7767574 / 6708188
FAX : (679) 6708188
EMAIL : stallionnewspaper@gmail.com
WEBSITES : www.epapergallery.com/thestallion
: www.scribd.com/thestallionnewspaper
FACEBOOK : www.facebook.com/thestallionnewspaper
ALL COMMUNICATION TO THE SIGATOKA TOWN COUNCIL SHOULD
BE ADDRESSED TO THE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATOR MR JAY WHYTE on
Phone: 6500018 Fax: 6520231 Email:- sa@sigatokatown.com.fj
ABOUT SIGATOKA
Sigatoka town is found on the island of Viti Levu and is situated at the mouth of the
Sigatoka River, after which it is named, some 61 kilometers from Nadi.
In Fiji's last census (2007) the population of Sigatoka was at 9622. Sigatoka is the
principal urban centre for the province of Nadroga-Navosa.
An ornate temple, open to public and built by Hare Krishna devotees, dominates the
Sigatoka skyline. Major tourist attractions include the Sigatoka Sand Dunes near Ku-
lukulu village two kilometers north-west of Sigatoka, the Tavuni Fort and the Kula Eco
Park, which houses some 500 birds of 100 species from many tropical countries. The
town is also the principal centre for Fiji's coastal tourism belt the Coral Coast
which hosts many of the country's leading hotels and resorts.
PICK OF THE MONTH
PRESS RELEASE
FRCA
FRCA claries tax issues
Australia renovates Sigatoka
Hospital to improve patient care
Visiting Australian Par-
liamentary Secretary to the
Minister for Foreign Affairs,
Senator Brett Mason opened
the newly renovated Special-
ist Outpatient Department
and Child Health Clinic at
Sigatoka Hospital on Tuesday
29 April.
A healthy population lies
at the heart of any form of
development. In alignment
with Australias support for
the Millennium Development
Goals, the strengthening of
primary health services is a
pillar of our development as-
sistance to Fiji, Senator Ma-
son said.
The $200,000 renova-
tion, funded by the Australian
Government through its Fiji
Health Sector Support Pro-
gram (FHSSP), will improve
health care standards for the
53,000 people of the Nadroga/
Navosa Sub-Division.
The Government of Fiji
and Ministry of Health are
very grateful for Australian
aid delivered through DFAT,
for tangibly assisting in ad-
dressing non-communicable
diseases. The Western Pacic
has been hard hit by NCDs
we are recording a high
prevalence and increasing in-
cidence of diabetes mellitus,
hypertension, stroke, mental
ill-health and cancers, said
Minister for Health Dr Neil
Sharma.
Logistic and grassroots
support is greatly in need in
Fiji and the Pacic to contain
the crisis. The refurbished
unit in Sigatoka will become
a beacon of hope for the large
Nadroga and Navosa prov-
ince, Dr Sharma added.
Renovation work included
a weather-protected waiting
area for patients, a disability
accessible lavatory, private
assessment and treatment
rooms, a staff kitchen, general
repair and maintenance, and
the provision of NCD screen-
ing equipment.
The newly renovated
clinic at the Sigatoka Sub-
Divisional Hospital is one
important step towards im-
proved service delivery to the
people of Nadroga/Navosa,
particularly people living with
diabetes and sick children
under ve, said Dr Rosalina
Banuve, FHSSP Program Di-
rector.
According to Dr Banuve
this is part of an ongoing
partnership between FHSSP
and Fijis Ministry of Health
to improve health services
through a range of mecha-
nisms including developing
clinical practice guidelines;
training doctors and nurses to
implement these guidelines;
procuring essential equipment
and improving health infor-
mation systems.
As Australias agship
health program in Fiji, FHSSP
works closely with the Minis-
try of Health to improve the
health outcomes of mothers
and children, address non-
communicable diseases and
strengthen health systems.
Government committed to
improve infrastructure
By SHALENDRA
PRASAD
The Fijian Government
is heavily committed to im-
prove and enhance the liveli-
hoods of all citizens irrespec-
tive of their backgrounds and
ethnicity.
While opening the upgrad-
ed and sealed Valley Road in
Sigatoka on Thursday, May
8, Prime Minister Rear Admi-
ral Voreqe Bainimarama said
people had endured the bad
road conditions in the valley
for over four-decades.
Since the 1970s, the Siga-
toka Valley has been known
as the food bowl of Fiji or
the salad bowl as some peo-
ple call it the source of a
great amount of what we eat,
Bainimarama said.
Yet for 40 years, no Gov-
ernment saw t to provide
a sealed road to enable that
food to be taken from the
Valley quickly and more ef-
ciently to the markets and on
to consumers, both here and
overseas, the Prime Minister
added.
Well, today, those four de-
cades of neglect comes to an
end as I proudly open a new
sealed section of the Sigatoka
Valley Road stretching 15 ki-
lometres up into the Valley
itself. And its a day to cel-
ebrate for the growers who
cultivate these rich river soils,
for those who transport pro-
duce by road to market and for
every single ordinary Fijian
who calls this Valley, home.
This project - at a nal
estimated cost of $45-million
dollars has involved about
two and a half years of prepar-
ing and sealing the road itself
and the construction of 20 ma-
jor box culvert crossings.
Prime Minister Rear Admiral Voreqe Bainimarama ofciates the opening of the newly up-
graded road. Photo: ISAAC LAL of MINFO.
The Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority wishes to clari-
fy that tax on interest earned from your savings or Resident
Interest Withholding Tax as it is known, only applies on the
interest earned and not on the Principle savings amount.
Chief Executive Ofcer, Mr. Jitoko Tikolevu has also re-
iterated that effective 1st January this year, all senior citizens
over 55-years and pensioners have been exempted from pay-
ing Resident Interest Withholding Tax. However, the interest
earned should be the only source of income and is less than
$16,000.
Those who are over 55 years and are earning interest on
their savings are urged to come forward to FRCA to obtain
certicate of exemption. The certicate of exemption then
should be submitted to the respective banks, Mr. Tikolevu
said.
Exemption also applies where the interest earned is $200
or less in a year. Non-prot organizations are also exempt-
ed from Resident Interest Withholding Tax, Mr. Tikolevu
stressed.
FRCA has designed Resident Interest Withholding Tax
calculator which people can use to calculate whether they
are paying the right amount of tax.
Resident Interest Withholding Tax is a nal tax and if de-
ducted correctly, it cannot be refunded.
Fore more information and on all tax related issues,
residents of Sigatoka can visit the FRCA Sigatoka ofce
located beside Sigatoka Club.
Email:- stallionnewspaper@gmail.com www.thestallionnewspaper.com
THE STALLION - COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER OF SIGATOKA 3
SIGATOKA DAY COVERAGE IN PHOTOS
Email:- stallionnewspaper@gmail.com www.thestallionnewspaper.com
THE STALLION - COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER OF SIGATOKA 4
LOCAL NEWS
India is really proud of its
children in Fiji who settled
here more than a century ago.
While inaugurating the
2014 Then India Sanmarga
Ikya (TISI) Sangam conven-
tion in Sigatoka recently, for-
mer India High Commissioner
to Fiji Mr TP Sreenivasan re-
layed this message to the local
community.
The diplomat who served
Fiji during the rst political
upheaval in 1987 stressed that
India is very pleased with the
Indo-Fijian community for
preserving their culture and
tradition.
He pointed out that the
theme of the 2014 Sangam
Convention Effective leader-
84th Sangam Convention
brings back old memories
By SANJAY GOUNDAR ship through Spirituality and
Faith really suits the struggle
and progress of the rst Indian
community in Fiji.
Those Indians who came
to Fiji during the Girmit days
had nothing with them apart
from their spiritual beliefs and
faith.
They brought with them
the holy Ramayana and other
religious scriptures and never
lost their faith as they settled
in a completely new land.
The sacrice and hard
work of the indentured la-
bourers has contributed im-
mensely towards the econom-
ic progress of this country as
a whole.
Mr Sreenivasan added that
despite returning to Fiji after
25 years the beautiful scenery
of the country and the warm
hospitality of its people has
not changed.
He however pointed out
that Fiji cannot wait for an-
other 25 years now to become
a modern nation.
Meanwhile, National Pres-
ident of the TISI Sangam Sa-
dasivan Naicker said that the
organization will continue
its enormous contribution
towards the progress of the
country.
Naicker commended the
organizing committee and
host branch Nadroga Sangam
for their great efforts in mak-
ing the 84th Sangam Conven-
tion a success.
I wish to thank Mr Vijay
Narayan and his team for the
great job, Mr Naicker said.
TOP: Chief guest and former Indian High Com-
missioner to Fiji Mr TP Sreenivasan takes a tour
of the colourful display by members of Then In-
dia Maathar Sangam (Womens Wing) during
the 84th Sangam Convention at Lawaqa Park
in Sigatoka. LEFT: VIP guests and Sangam of-
cials at the convention. Photos: SHALENDRA
PRASAD. More photos on www.facebook.com/
thestallionnewspaper.
Use the platform says FCOSS
Fiji Council of Social Ser-
vices [FCOSS] is one of the
most effective platforms to ad-
dress social and policy issues
for the betterment of grassroots
people says the FCOSS Execu-
tive President Mr Samuel Reu-
ben.
Speaking at the Nadroga
District Council of Social Ser-
vices [DCOSS] Community
Forum on Monday, June 2, Mr
Reuben said that FCOSS plat-
form and its DCOSS Structure
has been in existence for over
57 years during which millions
of dollars of social assistance
has been provided.
In 1957 national NGOs and
Government came together to
form a collective voice and it
was then when FCOSS was
formed.
Many registered national
NGOs including those who are
not registered under the chari-
table trust act such as mothers
club, youth groups, faith based
organisations, community as-
sociations and other social ser-
vice organisations remain as a
collective voice under FCOSS
platform.
Over the years FCOSS has
played key role of coordina-
tion, networking and advocacy
on behalf of grassroots people
and national NGOs and various
social issues were best collected
and addressed through DCOSS
which still remains as an effec-
tive structure.
FCOSS has a very active role
in many government commit-
tees including National Council
of Older Persons [NCOP] as
NGO voice working at policy
level and is a mandated NGO by
legislation such as the National
Disaster Management Act 1998
to play an important role.
FCOSS is recognised in
regional platforms including
Pacic Island Association of
Non-Governmental Organisa-
tions [PIANGO] and in many
international platforms.
Thus, FCOSS platform is
unique in its own way and must
be utilised and further strength-
ened by its members and stake-
holders.
Currently FCOSS Executive
President Mr Samuel Reuben
and FCOSS Ofcer-In-Charge
Mr Neil Maharaj are travel-
ing in the western division to
strengthen DCOSS, conducting
membership drives and consult-
ing key stakeholders on how
best FCOSS can deliver im-
proved services.
This move is undertaken as
FCOSS gears towards prepar-
ing for a new strategic plan in
coming months.
PRESS RELEASE
Email:- stallionnewspaper@gmail.com www.thestallionnewspaper.com
THE STALLION - COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER OF SIGATOKA 5
ADVERTISEMENT
Email:- stallionnewspaper@gmail.com www.thestallionnewspaper.com
THE STALLION - COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER OF SIGATOKA 6
LOCAL NEWS
Navosa
couple
turn life
around
By PARADISE
TABUCALA
By KELERA SERELINI
of FNPF
From a struggling yaqona
farmer to a village money
lender - this is what the Part-
nership in High Value Agri-
culture Project has done for
54-year-old Josefa Nagatu and
his wife Karalaini who live in
Naga Village in Nadrau Dis-
trict in the Province of Navosa.
The Partnership in High
Value Agriculture (PHVA)
project in Nadarivatu which
was launched in August last
year sees farmers planting and
selling vegetables like toma-
toes, capsicum and even celery
during the off season period.
This has seen farmers earning
money they never dreamed of
before and their standard of
living vastly improved.
The PHVA Project is fund-
ed by the International Fund
for Agricultural Development
(IFAD) and is implemented in
Fiji by Partners in Community
Development Fiji (PCDF) and
the Fijian Government through
the Department of Agriculture
plays an advisory role.
Karalaini clearly recounts
the time when they had to
look around for money to buy
sugar and other basic food
items.
We are third generation
yaqona farmers and my hus-
band was adamant to remain
one. In October our sugar was
running low and my husband
said to harvest our grog which
was not yet ready but we heard
about the PHVA project and
my sons and I convinced my
husband to try it out. Our rst
harvest in the second week
of December last year saw us
harvest two gallons and one
bucket of tomatoes, this saw
us rake in over $150. This
was more than enough for our
sugar and basic necessities.
So from January to March
this year, we have harvested
9 crates of tomatoes and have
made over $9,000.
Josefa says the income
from the PHVA project in
Nadarivatu has made a huge
difference in their lives. He
leads the PCDF team to their
residence just a few metres
downhill from the Naga Vil-
lage Community Hall. His
wife Karalaini points to their
corrugated iron house.
When you plant yaqona,
you have to wait three to four
years but with PHVA crops,
it is just three months. That
house is the fruit of the toma-
toes and planting off season
vegetables all thanks to the
PHVA project. With the $9,
000 we got in the past three
months we have bought our
TV, paid for my sons edu-
cational expenses at the Fiji
National University and also
bought the things needed to
build our new house.
When Karalaini married
Josefa back in the 80s, they
lived in a traditional bure up
until last year. So for over
30-years, Karailaini has had to
struggle carting water to her
bure and raising three boys.
Now she lives in her own cor-
rugated iron house with Sky
Pacic channels, a TV, and
speaker system, adding that
they have started helping oth-
ers as well.
Other villagers have been
planting tomatoes for over
13-years but they are not hav-
ing the returns we are having.
Thanks to the training from
the PHVA project, we have
been able to save and realize
our dreams. Now people come
to us to loan money. So you
would call us village money
lenders.
The rationale for the PHVA
project is that smallholder
farmers have good resource
potential and the ability to
produce marketable surpluses
that would increase their in-
comes and reduce poverty,
but they are not often able to
maximize this potential.
The farmers have under-
gone farm business training
such as budgeting as well as
agriculture husbandry and
how to better use their re-
sources and farming tools.
PCDF has one project of-
cer stationed in Nadarivatu
and he is assisted by three vol-
unteers from the surrounding
villages.
Josefa Nagatu and his wife Karalaini of Navosa in front of
their home. Photo: PARADISE TABUCALA.
FNPF reaches out
As part of its awareness
campaign, the Fiji National
Provident Fund was present
at the Catholic Teachers Asso-
ciation Annual General Meet-
ing on Wednesday, April 30 at
Bemana Village, Navosa.
The AGM was attended by
more than 200 teachers from
the region.
The Fund Chief Executive
Ofcer, Aisake Taito led the
FNPF team and delivered his
presentation followed by a ta-
lanoa session.
The objective of the tala-
noa was to foster a free-ow
of information exchange in
an informal setting; enabling
FNPF members to discuss
FNPF matters with the CEO.
The FNPF team also of-
fered the following services:
Joint FNPF/FRCA ID Card
registration, SUPERTxt ser-
vices, online services, SDB
Funeral Assistance (complet-
ing forms) and nomination
details.
Families get water
More than 30 households of rural Nadroga and Navosa now
have access to safe drinking water through two boreholes.
The 38 families, who remained without proper tap water for
too long, welcomed governments assistance in providing one
of the basic necessities of life.
Provincial administrator Nadroga/Navosa Peni Koro said the
borehole projects in Waica and Maro were evidence of govern-
ments commitment towards ensuring all Fijians were acces-
sible to safe drinking water.
Mr Koro said the areas assisted were mainly occupied by
farmers, who depended on selling cash crops to make ends
meet. They faced difculties in providing safe drinking water
because of the high costs involved in borehole drilling.
These families fall outside the main piped water grid, Mr
Koro said.
Government is thankful to these farmers and their families
for their contribution to the Fijian economy and we encourage
them to continue the good work in providing fresh fruits and
vegetables.
Since the beginning of last year 1500 Fijians in the West-
ern Division now have access to safe drinking water through
13 boreholes.
MINFO
Provincial Administrator for Nadroga and Navosa, Peni Koro.
File Photo.

Youll love our resort style spa and massage therapies at
prices the locals can afford including Pure Fiji Spa rituals,
Reiki and Hot Stone Therapy. We also do body waxing and
facials for Men & Women
Ideal for family and friends to chill out together.
Enjoy our de-stress neck and shoulders massage with
complimentary herbal teas & espresso coffee - while your feet
get pampered. We also do pedicure, manicure, nail and face art
Quality hairdressing for men, women and children.
Our hairdressers are fully qualified professionals who care for
your hair. All hairdressing including do-ups for wedding and
special occasion. We also do lash tinting and brow shaping,
Email:- stallionnewspaper@gmail.com www.thestallionnewspaper.com
THE STALLION - COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER OF SIGATOKA 7
LOCAL NEWS
Safaris
leading the
way in Fiji
The popular Sigatoka River Safari and Off-Road Caves Safari,
founded and operated by Australian Jay Whyte, have both been
awarded a TripAdvisor 2014 Certicate of Excellence.
This prestigious award recognizes businesses that consistently
earn top ratings from TripAdvisor travellers.
A truly popular tour with tourists, the Sigatoka River Safari has
previously won the TripAdvisor Certicate of Excellence and has
been voted the number one activity to do in Fiji out of 15 activities
in 2011, 2012 and 2013. It also was the winner of the 2008 Best
Fiji Experience and 2007 Best Adventure Tour at the annual AON
Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards.
This was the rst Trip Adviser award Off Road Caves Safari
has won according to Mr Whyte.
We are really proud to have won this award, for both safari
tours and are particularly excited to win, for the rst time, a Trip
Advisor Certicate of Excellence for the Off Road Caves Safari,
Mr Whyte said.
We are so glad our passengers are enjoying their authentic
Fijian experiences and letting others know about it. This is such
a great achievement and a fantastic reward for the hard working
team that help make both these tours such a success, continues
Mr Whyte.
Celebrating its 8th birthday this year, the Sigatoka River Safari
is the rst jet-boat safari tour if its kind. It offers tourists a half-
day adventure into the heart and soul of Fiji. Passengers travel
along the Sigatoka River aboard custom-built safari jet boats and
visit authentic Fijian villages, experiencing a day in the life of the
real kaiviti (Fijian).
The Off Road Caves Safari rst started in 2012 and came about
as a natural transition that complements the Sigatoka River Safari.
Off Road Caves Safari is Fijis original and only off road safari
and takes passengers, in custom made land rovers, through Siga-
tokas interior to the Naihehe Cave, Fijis largest Cave system,
where they learn about its fascinating cannibalism history.
The Off Road Caves Safari and Sigatoka River Safari operate
Monday to Saturday with tours departing at 8.30am and 1.00pm.
All prices include lunch, transfers from Coral Coast, Nadi and
Denarau resorts (unless self-drive), 4.5hr Safari Tour, 10% shop-
ping discount at Fiji Market & Tappoos, 10% OFF selected meals
at Koko's Bar, Korotogo, Fiji, and complimentary Safari Sulus
(sarong) for all women. Children 3 years and under are free.
For further information and pricing visit www.sigatokariver.
com or www.offroadji.com
By ANGELINE LAL
Sigatoka River Safari commentary stops along the way learning more about the history
of the area and Fiji. INSET: Enjoy the view of the Sigatoka Valley with Off Road Cave
Safari. Photos: SUPPLIED.
Legal Aid ofce opens in Sigatoka
Legal Aid Commission staff of
Sigatoka. Photo: ISAAC LAL of
MINFO.
By SHALENDRA
PRASAD
The opening of Legal Aid
Commissions ofce in Sigato-
ka marks another major step in
my Governments efforts to en-
sure that all Fijians have equal
access to the justice system says
Prime Minister Rear Admiral
Voreqe Bainimarama.
In fact, we have made it a
priority to ensure that the ser-
vices of the Legal Aid Commis-
sion are available in every town
and city around the country,
the Prime Minister added.
With the opening of this of-
ce, the residents of Sigatoka
and its greater area will no lon-
ger have to travel to Nadi, or in
some cases as far as Lautoka, to
seek legal aid services.
Not only was this time con-
suming, it was expensive. And
unfortunately at times it pre-
vented Fijians from seeking the
justice they rightfully deserved.
With this new ofce, we are re-
moving the obstacles of time,
distance and expense.
Equal access to justice
should mean just thatjustice
that is readily available to all.
In fact, the Constitution now
requires government to provide
legal aid services to those who
cannot afford to pursue justice.
At the end of the day, pro-
viding equal access to justice
for all Fijians is the responsibil-
ity of the Government. In order
for Legal Aid to work for the
people, to do its job, it has to be
adequately funded.
It is for this reason that my
Government will ensure that
the Legal Aid Commission has
the staff, facilities, and funds
it needs to assist people who
cannot afford the services of a
lawyer.
Over the last few years, we
have steadily increased funding
to the Legal Aid Commission,
from $800,000 in 2012, to $2
million in 2013, to a record $4.4
million this year, which is the
largest allocation for Legal Aid
in Fijis history.
Email:- stallionnewspaper@gmail.com www.thestallionnewspaper.com
THE STALLION - COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER OF SIGATOKA 8
PEOPLE
MUMBAI: INDIAs re-
vered leading lady of en-
tertainment Aishwarya Rai
Bachchan and Fiji-born Bol-
lywood singer Sumeet Tappoo
led the tribute to commemo-
rate the third anniversary of
Sri Sathya Sai Babas Ma-
hasamadhi in Mumbai re-
cently.
About 7000 attended the
mega event at the NSCI in-
door stadium in Mumbai and
were treated to a musical ex-
travaganza by leading sing-
ers of India including Anup
Jalota, Pankaj Udhas, Kavita
Krishnamurthi, Richa Sharma
and Sumeet Tappoo.
Sumeet said it was a sur-
real experience when he and
all the other artists sat on stage
together and sang songs based
on human values both as a
group and individually.
This exemplied Sathya
Sai Babas teachings of unity,
purity and divinity.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan,
a former student of the Sath-
ya Sai Bal Vikas Program in
Mumbai, said she was hon-
oured and humbled to be in-
vited to be the guest of honour.
She shared her experiences as
a student in Mumbai during
the programs Sunday school
learning on human values and
the various stage dramas and
dances. The emotional mega-
star also shared her experi-
ences of meeting the Divine
Sathya Sai Baba in Mumbai
and Puttaparthi and said that
the interactions with him
has given her inspiration and
strength for a life time.
Sumeet said the event was
a tting tribute to Sathya Sai
Baba who had inspired mil-
lions of devotees through his
teachings of love, truth, non-
violence, right conduct and
peace as well as a very direct
focus on the unity of religions
and serving the poor and
needy.
He added that Aishwarya
Rai Bachchans attendance
was expected to inspire mil-
lions of children in India
and around the world to par-
ticipate in the Sathya Sai Hu-
man Values program which
teaches them to honour and
respect their parents, to treat
and love all as one, to respect
all religions and serve those in
need.
Aishwarya Bachchan and
Sumeet Tappoo lead tributes
for Sathya Sai Baba
PRESS RELEASE
Bollywood superstar Aishwarya Rai Bachchan with Sumeet Tappoo who hails from Sigatoka.
Tappoo is now based in India and is making a huge mark in Bollywood as a singer. Photo:
SUPPLIED.
Sumeet Tappoo with Sri Sathya Sai Baba in happier times. Photo: FACEBOOK.
Email:- stallionnewspaper@gmail.com www.thestallionnewspaper.com
THE STALLION - COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER OF SIGATOKA 9
BUSINESS NOTICE BOARD
Email:- stallionnewspaper@gmail.com www.thestallionnewspaper.com
THE STALLION - COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER OF SIGATOKA 10
SPORTS
Cuvu ends Sanatan drought
By ANUSHIL KUMAR
Cuvu created history in the
55th Sanatan Covention as
they lifted the Sanatan Inter
District Championship title
for the rst time ever thrash-
ing Ba 4-1 in the grand nale
at Prince Charles Park in Nadi
on April 21.
Laced with some of the
district reps like Ravinesh
Karan Singh (Suva), Joseph
Mishra (Labasa), Arvind
Pratap (Nadi), Elvin Prasad
(Nadroga), Nathan Kumar
(Nasinu) and few others, the
Sigatoka based club came into
the nal as favourites.
Dominating the rst half,
Ravinesh Karan Singh scored
two goals while Nathan Ku-
mar scored the third as Cuvu
led 3-0 at the breather with
Kaushik Kumar being sent off
for a dangerous foul ve min-
utes prior to the break.
Ba fought hard in the
second half as strike-force
Rineshwar Lals powerful
shot at goal was deected off
by defender Arvind Pratap
into the back of the net, but it
was too late as captain Elvin
Prasad ended Bas hopes of
winning by putting the nal
nail into their cofn giving a
nal outcome of 4-1.
Cuvu coach/player Nit-
ulesh Mali commended the
boys for a gallant perfor-
mance.
We are very happy to win
this tournament for the rst
time ever in 55 years, Mali
said.
Our focus now moves
on to the Sanatan World Cup
which will be played in Sep-
tember in Sydney, he added.
Ba captain Shalen Lal
praised Cuvu for their win
giving them a hard challenge
this year.
Theres only one winner
at the end of the match and I
must thank Cuvu for giving us
a tough challenge, said Lal, a
former Ba Football striker.
Cuvu walked away with
$1500 and the Cup while Ba
received $750 with runners-
up trophy. Losing semi-nal-
ist Nadroga and Labasa re-
ceived $200 each.
Meanwhile, Suva TIV end-
ed a 38-year drought by win-
ning the Sangam IDC beating
Rie Range (Lautoka club)
1-0 at Lawaqa Park in Siga-
toka.
Nasinu successfully de-
fended their Muslim IDC title
beating Nadi 3-2 in penality
kicks at Govind Park in Ba.
Rewa won the Gujerati
tournament beating defending
champions Nadi 7-6 in penal-
ity kicks while Tavua walked
away with the Sikh IDC title
in round robin competition.
The Ram Sami & Sons sponsored Nadroga TIV Sangam soccer squad and ofcials at the
84th Sangam Convention at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka during the Easter weekend. Photos:
SHALENDRA PRASAD.
Email:- stallionnewspaper@gmail.com www.thestallionnewspaper.com
THE STALLION - COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER OF SIGATOKA 11
SPORTS
The Lauli'i Lions have been invited to represent Samoa at
the Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens after they beat Vaiala 17-
12 in the inaugural Samoa Independence Sevens on Saturday,
May 31.
"We are pleased to invite Lauli'i to the 'champion of cham-
pions' at Lawaqa Park on November 13-15," said Tournament
Director Nick Jordan.
"The Lions also nished runners-up in Samoas Marist Sev-
ens in February so are obviously a top Samoan club.
"Should they accept it will be great to see them take on our
reigning champions, Yamacia, and other clubs from around the
Pacic in "Rugbytown" (Sigatoka) later this year."
Jordan said the 24-team men's eld for the fth annual Bay-
leys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens was taking shape.
"Rangataua, the winners of New Zealand's Middlesex Sev-
ens, have accepted our invitation and we will again be reaching
out to the winners of the Serevi Rugbytown Sevens (Colorado,
August) and the Fitness First Central Coast Sevens to be held
in October.
"Our sponsor teams are likely to include Outrigger on the
Lagoon, Naviti, Coastal Rental Cars and Serevi Rugby plus we
are in discussions with several partner tournaments as well as
guest teams from overseas.
"On top of that the 'best of the best' from Fiji will come
through the Coastal Great Eight, to be held in the rst weekend
of November, to create another high-quality tournament."
Jordan said there were still vacancies for sponsor teams.
"We are targeting eight sponsor sides and one of the major
benets is the direct entry meaning the team does not need to go
through the qualifying tournament to compete for the $75,000
prize pool," he said. We are always keen to talk to companies
who wish to become associated with the tournament and its
high-quality teams.
Meanwhile, the 12-strong women's competition is also at-
tracting star participants.
"The Aussie Pearls, who won the event in 2012, have already
announced their participation and we are thrilled to welcome
back Sunnybank and New Caledonia along with newcomers
Redlands and the Highlanders to compete for the Crest Na Iri
Trophy," said Jordan.
"We have interest from teams in New Zealand and the USA
and of course Fiji as the new Olympic sport of sevens continues
to grow."
More interest generates from
overseas teams for Coral Coast 7s
PRESS RELEASE
Cricket competes with rugby at Sigatoka
Give it a Go Day
Cricket experienced a solid
turnout at the Fiji National
Sports Commissions (FNSC)
Give it a Go Day in Sigatoka
in May, with Cricket Fijis
development ofcers present
saying they experienced great
interest among all the sports
present.
The program run by the
FNSC aims to introduce Fijian
children to a range of lesser-
known sports, at the same
time as promoting the benets
of living an active and healthy
lifestyle.
Other sports participating
in this Give it a Go program
were table tennis, power lift-
ing, boxing, and bodybuild-
ing.
The Sigatoka installment
of the program was run over
By LAURA MACINTOSH
of Cricket Fiji
two-days at Lawaqa Park, in
conjunction with the provin-
cial rugby, netball and volley-
ball tournaments.
Typically the infamous
rugby town is difcult to
introduce rugby fans to new
sports, but development of-
cer, Lanieta Benuci, said they
experienced a solid turnout of
between 30 and 40 children
eager to learn about the basics
of cricket over the Thursday
and Friday that the event ran.
Cricket Fiji will continue
to participate in the series of
Give it a Go Days run by the
FNSC across the country, to
give as many children as pos-
sible the chance to try and fall
in love with cricket.
LEFT: Defending champions Yamacia after the win
last year. TOP: Team Fijiana which won in the Crest
Na Iri title. Photos: MARGARET NAQIRI.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
14 17 AUGUST, 2014
Volunteers for the Fiji International
golf tournament are needed to help
showcase Fiji to the world.
For details email:
nlemerson@ozemail.com.au or nritter@pga.org.au
Email:- stallionnewspaper@gmail.com www.thestallionnewspaper.com
THE STALLION - COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER OF SIGATOKA 12
For regular updates and results, log onto our website
Dinesh Chand to play
Fiji International
One of Fijis best ever golfers Dinesh Chand is heading
home in August to compete in the Fiji International
By NICOLE OFARRELL
Chand, a Fijian Professional
golfer who now plays mainly in Ja-
pan, says hes looking forward to
supporting the PGA Tour of Aus-
tralasia and OneAsia tournament in
its rst year.
It just feels great, I am so
proud to be a Fijian, said Chand
who hasnt played in Fiji since he
turned Professional over 20 years
ago.
It will be very different playing
in front of our home crowd. We are
a very small island nationa and to
have such a big event is a dream.
Alongside Vijay Singh, Chand
is one of Fijis most successful
golfers. In a career spanning more
than twenty-years, Chand has won
three times in the Japan Golf Tour
and twice in the Japan Challenge
Tour.
He has represented Fiji on sev-
eral occasions in the World Cup
of Golf (playing alongside Singh)
and also played one of golfs big-
gest tournaments, the British Open,
twice.
Growing up in Fiji Chand was
introduced to golf at an early age
and looked up to the former World
No. 1 Singh, who is also returning
to Fiji to compete in the tourna-
ment.
As a 10-year-old, Chand used to
skip school and run over to the golf
course to pick up Singhs practice
balls. Chand says hes looking for-
ward to their paths crossing again
in August.
The last time I saw him (Vijay)
was in Japan where we played in
the same tournament, he said.
This tour will be very big for
golf in Fiji.
Supported by the Fijian Gov-
ernment, the inaugural Fiji Interna-
tional will be played from Thurs-
day 14 to Sunday 17 August at the
Natadola Bay Championship Golf
Course.
Fijis Vijay Singh is also con-
rmed to compete in the golf tour-
nament.
Visit www.jiinternational.com
for further information.
By SHALENDRA PRASAD
AND MARGARET NAQIRI
The Natadola Bay Championship
Golf Course is ready to host the in-
augural Fiji International from Au-
gust 14-17 says general manager
Natalie Ritter.
In a press conference with lo-
cal journalists recently, Ritter has
conrmed the participation of 120
professional golfers in the four-day
event.
We are all excited about the in-
augural tournament and it will be
only getting better from here on-
wards, Ms Ritter said.
She said a ve-year contract to
host the event in Fiji has already
been secured.
The winner of the inaugural tour-
nament will walk-away with USD
180k and the entire event will be
extensively covered by international
media outlets.
Dinesh Chand manages a smile with former world number one and his
mentor Vijay Singh in this le photo.
Were ready
Natalie Ritter with Natadolas
Amitesh Chandra.