Pacific Games gold medallist Jone Davula (left) and coach Cameron Todd in Honiara; Photo: Team Fiji Photo: Team Fiji
President Manasa Baravilala told RNZ Pacific the gold medal win by Jone Davule at the Games in Honiara was the icing on the cake of their campaign, which also saw the first phase of FABA's plans achieved.
That is in line with their plan to develop a base of young boxers for future representation, he said.
FABA this year invested in the first full-time paid coach when they hired New Zealand boxing trainer Cameron Todd.
The first phase focus was to get back into the Games and win medals again.
FABA sent a seven-strong team to Honiara.
"Very proud of the young seven-member team that represented Fiji proudly at the Pacific Games and their five medal haul," Baravilala said.
"The gold medal 20 year ending drought by team captain Jone Davule was the icing on the cake."
He expressed thanks to coach Todd and manager Nemani Rokobuli.
"Despite the many challenges, the team performance was exemplary and the new culture of professionalism introduced by the new national head coach augers well for amateur boxing in the long term."
Baravilala said Todd has brought a new level into FABA with his approach and planning.
"Cam 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."
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.
Fiji and NZ boxers and officials in Suva. Photo: Boxing Fiji Photo: Boxing Fiji
Baravilala said FABA wants to ensure they have young boxers developed through the ranks.
Todd worked with four boxing clubs across New Zealand who took boxers to Fiji.
He told FBC Sport he wants to set a programme in place where young boxers could be developed.
"I am very excited. The reason I arranged this was to start developing our junior and youth boxers, who are the future for amateur boxing," he said.
"So we had a selection from New Zealand, different levels, different weights, different ages, to test our young boxers; and also for me, I can select a junior and youth squad.
"We can then start building them up for next year.
"So at the moment I'm really excited as we've got a lot of potential, our young team is doing really well, but it's good for them to see what international calibre boxing is like."
Todd said they will also send a similar invitation to Australian boxing clubs.
He said the local junior fighters can only get better with more exposure to international boxers.
Meanwhile, Baravilala, who is attending the International Boxing Association (IBA) convention in Dubai, said the Pacific boxing scene has received a big boost with the inclusion of Tuvalu and Norfolk Island as members of IBA affiliated to Oceania.
