LOCAL boxing coach Osea Nanovu has raised serious concerns about the current state and future direction of amateur boxing in Fiji, highlighting issues that could hinder the sport’s growth and unity.
Responding to recent remarks by the Minister for Youth and Sports Jese Saukuru, Nanovu stressed the need for governance that prioritises development, opportunity, and athlete welfare above all else.
He singled out the role of the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) as particularly problematic.
Nanovu argues that the WBO’s insistence on being the sole authority for registering and advancing amateur boxers in Fiji restricts rather than broadens pathways for athletes.
This exclusivity, he warns, marginalises coaches, boxers, and officials affiliated with the International Boxing Association (IBA), creating divisions within the boxing community.
Describing this as a form of “gatekeeping,” Nanovu expressed concern that such authoritarian tendencies could penalise those not aligned with the WBO, undermining the efforts of many who have long supported and developed boxing in Fiji.
While acknowledging that the IBA is not without its flaws, he emphasised that it remains a well-established organisation with a strong global and local presence.
Nanovu also criticised attempts to pressure the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC) to reject athletes and coaches linked to the IBA, calling this disregard for their dedication and service to Fijian boxing.
He warned that if these exclusionary practices continue unchecked, they risk fracturing the boxing community, suppressing participation, and ultimately damaging the sport’s future in Fiji.
Nanovu called on key authorities, including FABA, FASANOC, and the IOC, to provide principled guidance to resolve the ongoing impasse and to help chart a path forward that keeps boxing inclusive, athlete-centred, and focused on development.
His appeal serves as a timely reminder that the integrity and growth of boxing in Fiji depend on leadership willing to embrace unity and support all athletes and stakeholders in the sport.
