Plans are underway to establish a boxing gym in Labasa aimed at revitalizing both amateur and professional boxing in Vanua Levu. Samuela Ligairi, the special administrator of the Labasa Town Council, shared this information during an interview with SUNsports last Saturday.
Ligairi participated in the South Pacific Boxing Promotion program held at Subrail Park, marking the return of professional boxing to Labasa after a nine-year hiatus. He emphasized that the council intends to enhance the sport through this new project. The proposed location for the gym is near the botanical garden at Lions Park.
Construction is expected to begin soon, with potential funding support from the Ministry of Local Government, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Boxing Commission of Fiji. “We will have a boxing ring for training and it will be a fully equipped gym,” Ligairi stated.
He noted that the current Nasekula Gym has limited space, making the new facility essential for accommodating a larger number of training enthusiasts. The Labasa Town Council is collaborating with the Macuata Rugby Union to create a more spacious gym in the town.
The MRU played a role in developing the gym at Nasekula, equipped with gear donated by the Silktails Rugby League Club. Additionally, the LTC has extended an invitation to other non-governmental organizations to support the new project.
Ligairi mentioned that the proposed gym development would not only improve the council’s finances but also motivate individuals to engage in boxing and explore their potential. He added that hosting major sporting events like the Digicel Fiji FACT football tournament and the Vodafone Deans Trophy has positively impacted the local community in Vanua Levu.
“This initiative is a holistic approach aimed not just at benefiting the council, but also the local economy, including hoteliers, taxi operators, market vendors, and restaurants, all of whom stand to gain from increased profits,” he concluded.