Plans are underway to establish a boxing gym in Labasa, aimed at revitalizing both amateur and professional boxing in Vanua Levu. This was revealed by Samuela Ligairi, the special administrator of the Labasa Town Council, during an interview with SUNsports. Ligairi attended the South Pacific Boxing Promotion event held at Subrail Park, marking the return of professional boxing to Labasa after a gap of nine years.
Ligairi indicated that the Labasa Town Council intends to bring the sport back to life through this new initiative. The proposed site for the gym is located near the botanical garden at Lions Park. He mentioned that construction is set to commence soon, with potential funding support from the Ministry of Local Government, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Boxing Commission of Fiji.
The gym will feature a boxing ring and will be fully equipped to support training. Ligairi noted that the decision to create this new facility stems from the limited space available at the Nasekula Gym, making it necessary to construct a larger gym to accommodate more sports enthusiasts.
The Labasa Town Council has been working with the Macuata Rugby Union to facilitate the development of a larger gym in the area. The MRU previously assisted in setting up the Nasekula gym, contributing equipment donated by the Silktails Rugby League Club. The Labasa Town Council is also reaching out to other non-governmental organizations for support in this project.
Ligairi emphasized that the proposed gym development would not only enhance the finances of the Labasa Town Council but also inspire more individuals to engage in boxing and explore their potential in the sport. He highlighted 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 positively impacted the community, offering new opportunities for local businesses like hotels, taxi services, market vendors, and restaurants.