A former commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces’ Land Force, Pita Driti, is leading a three-member investigative team looking into a recent boxing incident at Prince Charles Park in Nadi. Driti, along with Philip Heneriko from the Ministry of Youth and Sports and Adi Narayan, chairman of the Boxing Commission of Fiji, has been tasked with interviewing all parties involved in the event.
During a press conference in Suva, Narayan announced that the team has been allotted 30 days to conduct its investigation. The investigation comes after featherweight boxer Umbayd Haider suffered a critical injury during his match against Australia’s Runqi Zhou, where he was defeated by technical knockout in the ninth round. Following the fight, Haider was hospitalized and had to undergo head surgery.
Narayan emphasized that the match was sanctioned by both the International Boxing Organisation (IBO) and the Boxing Commission of Fiji (BCF). The team will interview all relevant individuals, including the ring supervisor, the referee, the judges, and the promoter. Additionally, they will assess whether the cornermen present during the fight were properly licensed to be there.
The terms of reference for the investigation also involve looking into the failure to conduct drug tests on the boxers post-fight. Narayan stated that the investigation aims to ensure accountability and to uphold safety standards within the sport.
This investigation highlights the responsibility that comes with professional boxing and the need for rigorous oversight to protect the welfare of athletes. There is hope that the outcomes of this inquiry will lead to improved safety measures and regulations in the boxing community in Fiji, ultimately contributing to a safer environment for athletes in the future.
In summary, the investigative team is focused on uncovering the circumstances surrounding the incident to prevent similar occurrences and to enhance regulatory frameworks in boxing, benefiting the athletes involved.
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