Who’ll replace Narayan as new BCF chairman

Who will be the next Boxing Commission of Fiji (BCF) chairman? That’s the question the country’s boxing fraternity is pondering on. Last Friday, Minister for Youth and Sports Jese Saukuru has confirmed that BCF chairman Adi Narayan’s term has expired and so are the board members.

Saukuru said he is now waiting for names to be recommended to him before a decision is made. So, who is the person for Narayan’s job.

Let us look at four possible candidates:

ERONI LOGANIMOCE

A lawyer by profession and was in the BCF board. A former middleweight amateur boxer. Loganimoce has been Narayan’s right hand man all these years. At times when the going got tough, he stood up for Narayan and shouldered whatever was dished out at BCF. Loganimoce, is a man of a few words, but he is a steady leader who stood by his decisions and never buckled when under pressure.

SUBHASH APPANA

He had been the BCF chairman before Narayan took over. However, this University of the South Pacific (USP) academic is still favoured by many in the boxing fraternity. Appana, who is also a boxing historian, knows his way around from handling boxers, promoters, ring officials and other stakeholders. Appana’s love for the sport is second to none, as he is still very much involved as a ring official.

JOHN RABUKU

A renowned lawyer from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) and like Appana, a former BCF chairman (during the early days of its formation).

Rabuku is well-versed with the requirements of the boxing promulgation and was on the verge of implementing it, when he had to leave. Bringing him back, could be a big plus to the sport as he’ll set the BCF in order and ensure that they comply with all the legal requirements on the promulgation.

USMAN ALI LALE

The prominent Nadi businessman had been the BCF West Director for many years. Lale, as he is fondly known had singlehandedly carried the BCF for almost a year, when then chairman Malakai Veisamasama passed away.

During that time, he took the sport to Vanua Levu and Ba.

Lale has boxing at heart. He is a qualified referee/judge.

As a former Police officer, Lale is well-versed with the boxing regulations and he stood for what is right during disputes.

He has the ability to go for an amicable solution to resolve matters rather than turning a blind eye on it.