The Fiji Amateur Boxing Association (FABA) is facing significant challenges as it prepares its boxers for the upcoming 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow due to a persistent lack of competitive opportunities. Head coach Cam Todd highlighted that this is a recurring issue for the association, primarily stemming from Fiji’s geographical and financial constraints within the region.
Todd explained that compared to nations in the northern hemisphere, Fiji struggles with limited resources and funding, which hampers its ability to send boxers to international competitions or frequently host invitational teams. This disadvantage means that Fijian boxers often rely on local competitions to sharpen their skills ahead of major events.
Despite these challenges, the association is planning to host local competitions and is optimistic about upcoming international events scheduled for April and June, which are expected to benefit the team’s development. Additionally, FABA is set to base its squad in Sheffield, England, alongside the Great Britain team for final preparations before the Games.
For the Commonwealth Games, FABA has been allocated three spots by the Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC) but is actively pursuing two additional slots to allow five boxers to compete in Scotland. The organization is currently evaluating two weight divisions, aiming to finalize its team by the end of the month. Already, boxers have been identified for the 60kg and 80kg categories in men’s competition and the 57kg category in women’s.
The national Olympic committee will confirm the final team roster once all selection processes are concluded. The 2026 Commonwealth Games are set to take place from July 23 to August 2, presenting an vital opportunity for Fiji’s athletes to showcase their talent on an international stage, despite the hurdles they face.