New Rule for Amateur Boxers Safety
This rule was endorsed under the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) charter and rules.
Thursday 25 January 2024 | 15:00
The Fiji Amateur Boxing Association (FABA) has advised that the new 30- bout minimum rule is effective from January 22.
This was confirmed yesterday by FABA secretary Viliame Kasanawaqa.
This rule was endorsed under the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) charter and rules.
Kasanawaqa said the safety of all athletes is the paramount concern in this instance and advises all coaches, athletes, referees, judges and the wider stakeholders of the new 30-bout minimum rule.
"To explain further, in an effort to protect the health and wellbeing of all amateur boxing athletes, the rule requires that no coach in amateur boxing shall be permitted to train or be a corner man of any Fijian athlete in any professional bout."
Kasanawaqa said this is if the athlete in question has previously fought as an amateur, unless that athlete has:
a. Achieved a minimum 30 fully sanctioned FABA bouts in amateur boxing competitions in Fiji;
b. Not been an active (and registered) amateur boxing athletes for the previous 24 month period; or He or she can no longer have any affiliation with any club (and its athletes) properly registered with FABA. Repeated breaches of the rule by any coach may result in a lifetime ban of the coach by FABA should it feel it is in the best interest of the sport to do so.
c. The athlete and coach have been given a formal exemption to this rule, in writing by the FABA board from January 22, any coach that is found as having contravened this rule in any way, shall lose his or her status as a coach under FABA, for a minimum period of 12 months, and shall no longer be permitted to participate in any FABA bouts or other activities in any capacity whatsoever.
Meanwhile, 33 participants are part of the West boxing coach and referee and judges workshop which ends today.
The 33 participants are registered from 16 of 18 boxing clubs.
The training was conducted by national coach Cam Todd and Referee & Judge resource personnel Seru Whippy.
Feedback: sereana.salalo@fijisun.com.fj
