The Board of Inquiry (BOI) has sufficient documents in their possession that can allow them to draw a conclusive remark in their assessment.

This was the comment of BOI leader Edwin Wainiqolo as they wrap up their investigation on the death of featherweight boxer Ubayed Haider.

Speaking to SUNsports yesterday Wainiqolo confirmed that they have not interviewed South Pacific Boxing Promotions (SPBP) promoter Fred Chand who is now living in Sydney, Australia.

“We’ve tried every attempt in our means to actually get in touch with him (Chand) but there are other things that came up which actually restricted our travel,” he said.

“But that doesn’t naturally bar him (Chand) from being heard. He’s actually engaged a lawyer and we are actually running against time.”

Wainiqolo said the BOI would present their final report regarding Haider’s death to the Minister of Youth and Sports next Monday.

Haider collapsed after losing on a ninth round TKO (technical knockout) against Australia’s Runqi Zhou for the IBO (International Boxing Organisation) super featherweight title fight at Nadi’s Prince Charles Park on October 26, last year. He underwent head surgery at the Lautoka Aspen Hospital but passed away on November 10.

When contacted the Minister of Youth and Sports Jese Saukuru confirmed next Monday’s meeting with the BOI.

“They (BOI) have done their investigation. They’ll be meeting me next Monday to submit the report,” Saukuru said.

“I’m waiting for that (report), the whole of Fiji is waiting for that as well. For others they should refrain from commenting on the subject if they don’t know what’s happening.”

Saukuru said it was important for people to respect the process that has been taken.

“As you know families are involved so it should be respected, for me I have full respect because somebody has died so early.

“We should not be taking it personally. Leave it with the team (BOI) that is doing the investigation to finish the work and finally they’ll submit their report then we’ll see the truth in it.”

Saukuru said he has advised Boxing Commission Fiji (BCF) chairman Adi Narayan and others involved to maintain personal boundaries on the matter.

This was after Narayan in a media interview indicated that Haider’s family should be blamed for his death.

This triggered a strong response from Haider’s brother Sebastian Singh and their family lawyer Avinesh Reddy.

“I’ve advised them (Narayan and others) to refrain from commenting on the subject, I mean we should respect that somebody has died and respect the family.

“I’m going to look at the report as something that we can improve on as far as boxing in Fiji is concerned,” Saukuru added.

Wainiqolo said the BOI met in Nadi on Wednesday.

“The other two panelists came from Suva. We are actually finalising our judgment in which we are trying to relay over to the Minister of Youth and Sport Jese Saukuru before the first Parliamentary seating on February 5,” the Lautoka lawyer added.

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