The call by the Minister for Youth and Sports Parveen Bala, last week, to put on hold all box­ing promotions in the country is long overdue.

There is an urgent need for the ministry to step-in and review the operations of the Boxing Commis­sion of Fiji (BCF) and implement strategies for the progress of the sport.

We are grateful to BCF president, Bulutani Mataita­wakilai and Nadi businessman Usman Lale Ali for holding the fort since those that were appointed with them have either stepped down or did not show up at all.

There is an immediate need to get qualified individ­uals who also have the passion for the sport to join the commission.

While Mr Bala along with his Permanent Secretary Jone Maretino Nemani, have put a freeze on the local promotions, it should also do the same on Fijian box­ers travelling overseas for fights.

This is because our boxers are being used as step­ping stone by Australian and New Zealand boxers for them to acquire international rankings while at the same time our country’s reputation in the sport has been tarnished.

Late last year, Fiji Sun highlighted the fact that 12 of our boxers fought in either Australia or New Zea­land, where none of them recorded a win or even a draw.

On March 1, this year we had three boxers losing their fights in Australia and again last Friday, it was another five boxers. What makes it worse is that most of these boxers travel without their trainers and are staying with their relatives or friends while they are there.

This has got to stop and let’s allow Mr Bala, Mr Ma­retino and the BCF directors to map the way forward for the sport.

7s Team Must Play Right Cards

Let’s wish our Fiji Airways Fijian 7s team play­ers all the best at the Canada 7s that gets un­derway today.

The Gareth Baber-coached side are going in as defending champion but after their dismal perfor­mance at the USA 7s in Las Vegas last weekend, all odds have been stacked against the team.

The injuries to a number of key players like Waisea Nacuqu (ruled out), Seremaia Tuwai, Paula Dranisi­nukula and Vilimoni Botitu has not helped in their cause. But this is not the end of the road for our men.

Suspended Australian 7s captain Lewis Holland said it right in Vegas when asked by the media about their chances in winning a tournament in the Series.

Holland’s reply was, “This is 7s rugby and anything can happen”.

For Kalione Nasoko and company, yes anything can happen in 7s and you can win in Vancouver, provided that you play your cards right. Go, Fiji, Go!