Plans are underway to establish a boxing gym in Labasa, aimed at reviving both amateur and professional boxing in Vanua Levu. Labasa Town Council special administrator, Samuela Ligairi, shared this objective during an interview with SUNsports last Saturday, following his attendance at the South Pacific Boxing Promotion event held at Subrail Park.
After a nine-year absence, professional boxing has returned to Labasa, and Ligairi expressed the council’s commitment to rejuvenating the sport through this new initiative. The proposed gym will be located near the botanical garden at Lions Park. Initial construction work is expected to commence soon, with potential funding from the Ministry of Local Government, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Boxing Commission of Fiji.
The facility will feature a boxing ring for training as well as being a fully equipped gym. Ligairi noted that the existing Nasekula Gym is limited in space, and the new gym will provide more room to accommodate a larger number of sports enthusiasts.
Furthermore, discussions are ongoing between the Labasa Town Council and the Macuata Rugby Union (MRU) regarding the development of a larger gym in the town. The MRU has previously assisted in establishing the gym at Nasekula and provided equipment through donations from the Silktails Rugby League Club. The council has also reached out to various Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) for support in this new development.
Ligairi highlighted that the proposed project would not only enhance the local council’s finances but also stimulate interest in the sport, enabling individuals to recognize and harness their potential. He emphasized that hosting significant sporting events like the Digicel Fiji FACT football tournament, the Vodafone Deans Trophy rugby competition, and boxing promotions has invigorated the community in Vanua Levu.
“This approach benefits not only the council but also the local economy, providing opportunities for hoteliers, taxi operators, market vendors, and restaurants to share in the financial gains,” he stated.