The Fiji Amateur Boxing Association (FABA) faces ongoing challenges due to a lack of competitive opportunities as it works to prepare its athletes for the upcoming 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Head coach Cam Todd emphasized this constant hurdle, noting that Fiji’s geographic location and limited resources make it difficult to compete internationally.
“We always encounter the same issues due to our region’s constraints,” Todd remarked. The disparity in funding compared to northern hemisphere countries, which can afford to send boxers to numerous international tournaments, further complicates Fiji’s training efforts.
Fijian boxers often rely on local competitions for experience, and Todd mentioned upcoming events to aid in their preparation. “We still have our local competitions, and we have internationals in April and hopefully in June, which should help our team,” he stated. In a strategic move, the team plans to train with the Great Britain squad in Sheffield before heading to Glasgow, aiming to enhance their skills ahead of the Games.
FABA has been allotted three positions for the Commonwealth Games by the Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC) but is advocating for two additional spots to enable five boxers to compete. “At the moment, we have five weight divisions in mind, and while the national Olympic committee has given us three spots, we are still pushing for two more,” Todd explained. The finalized selections for the remaining two weight divisions—65kg and 75kg—are expected by the end of the month, alongside confirmed entries for the 60kg and 80kg men’s divisions, and the 57kg women’s division.
The national Olympic committee will ultimately confirm the boxing squad, with the Commonwealth Games taking place from July 23 to August 2, 2026. Despite the challenges, FABA is determined to equip its athletes for success and bolster Fiji’s presence in the sport on an international stage. This commitment to developing local talent and maximizing available resources reflects a hopeful approach that could lead to promising outcomes for Fijian boxing.
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