The chairman of the Boxing Commission of Fiji Dr Subhash Appana has strongly advocated for all the stakeholders affiliated with the sport to take the COVID-19 vaccine.
Dr Appana said it was advisable to be compliant with the ‘no jab no play’ policy in an effort to have professional boxing staged again sooner rather than later.
“There’s no other option,” he said.
“Everyone needs to be fully vaccinated with both shots of the COVID-19 vaccine.
“The current protocols pertaining to the novel coronavirus pandemic require everybody to be double vaccinated.
“We have to follow the guidelines in order to sanction professional boxing programs in the country.
“The guidelines are there to protect the safety of boxers, officials and the spectators alike.
“We’re strongly encouraging those who are eligible to get vaccinated to have the vaccines.”
He said he was elated with the advances science had made to battle the virus.
“It’s so important to build everyone’s trust that the vaccines are safe and effective against the COVID-19 virus.
“We’re going to have to be safe although not everyone agreed with the mandatory vaccination rule.
“If the professional boxers intend to continue their career in the sport they have to be vaccinated.
“I believe the vaccines are one of the biggest contributors to be safe from getting seriously ill, hospitalised or even death from a killer virus.”
All sporting activities were suspended in early April because of the emergence of a second wave of a killer virus and for future sports participation in the country the ‘no jab no play no watch’ applies including the spectators.
