Plans are underway to establish a boxing gym in Labasa aimed at revitalizing both amateur and professional boxing in Vanua Levu. This initiative was highlighted by Labasa Town Council special administrator, Samuela Ligairi, during an interview with SUNsports last Saturday, following his attendance at the South Pacific Boxing Promotion event at Subrail Park.
After a nine-year hiatus, professional boxing has made a return to Labasa, and Ligairi expressed the council’s commitment to resurrecting the sport through this gym project. The chosen location for the development is situated near the botanical garden at Lions Park, with construction set to commence soon, supported by potential funding from the Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Boxing Commission of Fiji.
The proposed gym will feature a boxing ring for training and will be fully equipped to accommodate local athletes. Ligairi noted that the decision to build a new gym comes after recognizing the limitations of the current Nasekula Gym, which lacks adequate space for training enthusiasts.
Collaborative discussions have taken place between the Labasa Town Council and the Macuata Rugby Union to facilitate the development of a larger gym in the area. The MRU previously contributed to the establishment of the Nasekula gym by providing equipment donated by Silktails Rugby League Club. The LTC has extended invitations to other Non-Governmental Organizations to support this initiative.
Ligairi anticipated that the new gym would not only enhance the council’s financial standing but also encourage more individuals to participate in boxing and explore their potential. He emphasized the positive impact of hosting significant sporting events, such as the Digicel Fiji FACT football tournament and the Vodafone Deans Trophy for secondary schools rugby, stating that these events have revitalized the local community.
“This is a holistic approach aimed at benefiting not just the council but also the local economy, including hoteliers, taxi operators, market vendors, and restaurants, who will all share in the profits,” Ligairi concluded.