The Fiji Amateur Boxing Association’s plan to develop a base of young boxers for future representation was boosted by the gold medal win at the 2023 Pacific Games by Jone Davule after a lapse of 20 years.
FABA President Manasa Baravilala told RNZ Pacific this year, that they invested in the first full-time paid coach when they hired New Zealand boxing trainer Cameron Todd.
Baravilala says the first phase focus was to get back into the Games and win medals again and says the win by Davule was the icing on the cake.
He says he is very proud of the young seven-member team as well that represented Fiji proudly at the Pacific Games and their five-medal haul.
Baravilala says coach Cameron Todd has brought a new level into FABA with his approach and planning and he met his first key performance indicator (KPI) by winning gold at the Games but these are early days and much work still needs to be done as per FABA's strategic plan.
He says part of that development plan also saw a contingent of young amateur boxers from New Zealand arrive in Suva last week to be part of the FABA Young Boxers program.
Source: RNZ
