AFTER a heated email exchange between Boxing Commission of Fiji chairman, Adi Narayan and Bula Events promoter Alan Kumar, the decision on the fundraising event for the late boxer Ubayd Haider scheduled for February 22, 2025, remains unconfirmed.
BCF board opted to put Blue Water Boxing Promotion on the date instead, citing Kumar’s delayed response and lack of a concrete plan for the event.
In a press conference which was held last week, Narayan expressed his disappointment in Kumar’s failure to keep the BCF board informed about the proposed program for February.
He stated that Kumar had not been able to put together a firm proposal with clear lineups for the event.
Narayan emphasised the importance of honouring Haider’s memory and suggested that a sponsor be sought to sponsor a belt for an annual event in his name.
“I told Alan, to keep his legacy alive, get a sponsor to sponsor a belt and BCF will encourage an annual event keep his name going, that’s a good suggestion,” said Narayan.
“Alan said I will go back to the family discuss with the family and come back to you, so he went back to the family and didn’t came back to me.”
Narayan attempted to schedule a meeting with Kumar, but it was canceled, leading to further delays in the decision-making process.
“So, then I Viber him (Alan) a message and asked what is happening here, told him we have a meeting tomorrow, when time comes, he cancels the meeting.
“This back and forth was just dragging the issue, so I discussed with the board and the board said, well it’s time for us to decide now.
“The Blue Water Boxing Promotion has been active, and they want to have a program in February, it’s just look at that program and lets just decide, so Blue Water gave us a lineup and the board discuss it and agreed to sanction that.”
While the board supported Alan’s efforts to organise the fundraiser for Haider’s family, they could not afford to wait any longer for a finalised plan.
“We did not say we won’t going to do the Haiders fundraiser, it’s not only Alan who is willing to do it, but there are also other promoters ready to do it as well.
“So, I want to clear this, we are supporting the program Alan is bringing up, but we won’t sit back and wait, that is why we have given that date to Blue Water Boxing Promotion.”
Alan said he preferred not to comment.
“No comments on this as BCF has lost its dignity towards professional boxing in the country,” Alan said yesterday.
“Hope they will learn from Fiji Amateur Boxing Association.
“We have decided to host other event on the same date.”
