The Fiji Times reports that their country's cash-strapped national Boxing team has appealed for government assistance to buy gloves and set up a ring ahead of the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games.
The trainer of the team, Mr Alipate Korovou, said that instead of sparring, the boxers are pounding the roads of the Oceania nation and shadow boxing because they lack equipment to properly prepare for the competition in March.
These boxers are training to fight in the ring. They are not training to run races," Mr Korovou said.
A former Commonwealth Games middleweight champion, Mr Korovou said he would ask Fiji Sports Minister, Isireli Leweniqila to help the team which needs gloves, pads, head guards, a ring, punching bags and other training equipment.
Boxing Fiji secretary, Paula Raqeukai said his organisation lacked the money to put up a ring at the team's gymnasium.
We have to pay people to put up and dismantle the ring and we can't afford to do that," he said.
Mr Raqeukai hoped the boxers would concentrate on fitness training until equipment could be found.
Last Modified on 25/01/2006 11:13