Plans are underway to establish a boxing gym in Labasa as part of an initiative to rejuvenate amateur and professional boxing in Vanua Levu. This was revealed by Labasa Town Council special administrator, Samuela Ligairi, during an interview with SUNsports last Saturday. Ligairi was in attendance at the South Pacific Boxing Promotion program held at Subrail Park, marking the return of professional boxing to Labasa after a nine-year hiatus.
Ligairi stated that the Labasa Town Council is committed to reviving the sport through this gym project, which will be located near the botanical garden at Lions Park. Initial construction work is expected to commence shortly, with potential funding support from the Ministry of Local Government, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Boxing Commission of Fiji.
He emphasized that the facility would feature a boxing ring for training and will be a fully equipped gym. The decision to build a new gym comes in response to the cramped conditions at the existing Nasekula Gym, with LTC aiming to create a more spacious environment to accommodate a larger number of sports enthusiasts.
Furthermore, discussions are ongoing between the LTC and the Macuata Rugby Union (MRU) to facilitate the establishment of a larger gym in the town. The MRU previously contributed to the development of the Nasekula gym, where equipment was donated by the Silktails Rugby League Club. The Labasa Town Council has also reached out to various Non-Governmental Organizations to seek support for this new development.
Ligairi mentioned that this proposed gym could also improve the financial situation of the Labasa Town Council and encourage more individuals to engage in boxing and harness their potential. He noted that hosting significant sporting events, such as the Digicel Fiji FACT football tournament, the Fiji Secondary Schools rugby competition (Vodafone Deans Trophy), and boxing promotions, has revitalized the community in Vanua Levu.
He added that this initiative represents a comprehensive approach that will not only benefit the council but also positively impact the local economy, aiding hoteliers, taxi operators, market vendors, and restaurant owners who stand to gain from increased activity in the area.