The Commission of Inquiry (COI) has asked the Minister for Youth and Sports, Jese Saukuru, for an extension on the investigation deadline concerning the death of featherweight boxer Ubayd Haider.
COI chairman Edwin Wainiqolo announced on Monday that the investigation will require an additional two weeks to be completed, particularly because they have not yet interviewed South Pacific Boxing Promotions (SPBP) promoter Fred Chand and director Mohammed Shameem. A scheduled interview with Shameem was called off due to the investigation team’s commitments, but it has been rescheduled for Monday via Zoom.
Wainiqolo clarified that the timing for the COI panel was complicated due to geographical differences, with him located in the West while the other members are in Suva. They plan to send a formal request to Chand’s legal counsel, demanding a response within a week; should he fail to respond, the investigation will proceed without his input.
In a statement from Vancouver, Canada, Shameem expressed his readiness to participate in the interview but noted the rescheduling. He criticized the Boxing Commission of Fiji (BCF) chairman, Adi Narayan, for attempting to deflect blame onto them, asserting his extensive experience in boxing and familiarity with its rules.
The case surfaced after Haider collapsed following his ninth-round TKO against Sydney-based boxer Runqi Zhou during an IBO Asia Pacific super featherweight title fight on October 26. Despite immediate medical attention, including surgery at Lautoka’s Aspen Hospital, Haider tragically passed away on November 10.
This ongoing investigation is crucial, as it seeks to uncover the circumstances surrounding a tragic event in the sporting community. As the COI works toward a thorough examination, there is hope that this inquiry will lead to improved safety measures in boxing, ensuring that such incidents are prevented in the future.
Accountability and transparency during this investigation can also help restore confidence in the sport, allowing athletes and their families to feel secure in the measures taken to protect fighters like Ubayd Haider.
Leave a comment