The Minister for Youth and Sports Jese Saukuru has announced a set of new board members of the Boxing Commission of Fiji to take the sport forward in the country.

The minister made the announcement in Suva yesterday where he declared Adi Narayan as the new chairperson replacing chair Subhash Appana.

“To the new board, I reiterate my call to all sporting bodies in Fiji; please ensure that the welfare of every boxer is paramount and should be addressed immediately. Ensure that all the rules and guidelines to protect athletes are strictly observed,” the minister told the new board members.

He reminded the new board of the days when Fiji produced some of the best boxers in the region.

“Over the years, Fiji has produced classy professional boxers who have lifted the standard of the sport in the country. The likes of Leweni Waqa, Alipate Korovou, Sani Fine, Sunia Cama, and Sakaraia Ve were some of the finest exponents of the sport to have graced the boxing ring in Fiji,” the minister said.

“Time, however, has pushed their moments of glory into oblivious, and we had forgotten how much joy these once prominent boxers brought to the local sporting arena.

“In their prime days, some of them would rate better than the boxers of today ­— boxers who now have all the facilities and better training equipment.”

Other board members include Eroni Loganimoce, Visila Koliqaruqaru, Gyan Singh, and Rahul Pillay. The minister requested the new board to work in partnership with the stakeholders to take the sport forward.

“Whenever possible, work closely with all the promoters of the game but never deviate from the standards set.

“On that same token, I am asking you to consider giving free ringside seats to all our former boxers in every boxing event.

“They deserve to be treated well with dignity as they retire from the sport.”