The family of Ubayd Haider, a celebrated boxer from Fiji, is calling for clarity regarding the circumstances surrounding his death following a boxing match on October 26 at Prince Charles Park in Nadi. Haider, whose birth name was Nathan Singh, passed away on Sunday night at Lautoka’s Aspen Hospital after spending 16 days in a coma and undergoing brain surgery.
Haider’s father, Gyan Singh, a veteran boxing trainer, expressed the family’s anguish, emphasizing the loss of such a talented young athlete. He stated, “We need answers on what happened,” underscoring the urgency for an investigation.
During the IBO Asia Pacific Featherweight title bout, Haider suffered a technical knockout (TKO) to China’s Runqi Zhou in the ninth round and collapsed shortly afterward. Immediate medical assistance was administered as he was transported from the venue to Nadi Hospital and then referred to Lautoka Aspen Hospital.
According to the Boxing Commission of Fiji’s regulations, promoters are required to have a stretcher available ringside, and the referee must ensure its presence before fights commence. This has raised concerns about the preparedness of safety measures during the event.
Runqi Zhou extended his condolences on social media, remembering Haider as a determined fighter. Haider’s wife, Helen Margaret Singh, shared her grief, expressing gratitude for their time together and the life they built with their two children, referring to them as “mini–Nathaniel Singhs.”
In response to the incident, the Fijian government and the Boxing Commission of Fiji have initiated a Commission of Inquiry, chaired by Pita Driti, to investigate the events that led to Haider’s passing. The Commission plans to question a minimum of 10 individuals involved.
The public can pay their respects to Haider today from 3 PM to 5 PM at the FMF Gym, with his funeral scheduled at 5:30 PM at Lot 19 Vasant Lal Road in Laucala Beach and burial at the Raralevu Muslim Cemetery later in the evening.
Overall, while the loss of Ubayd Haider is a profound tragedy for his family and the sporting community in Fiji, the response from the government and the inquiry into the incident reflect a commitment to ensuring the safety of athletes in the future. Hopefully, this inquiry can provide clarity and prevent such tragedies from occurring again in the sporting world.
Leave a comment