Father upset at Mudaliar's exclusion - Fiji boxing team

[Stacey King]

Sunday, September 20, 2009

AMATEUR fighter Krishna Muni Mudaliar's father has vowed his son will no longer be involved in any boxing.

An angry Arun Sumi Mudaliar, 40, lashed out at the Fiji Amateur Boxing Association's decision as unfair -- the non-inclusion of his son, Muni Krishna Mudaliar from the Cook Island Mini Games squad.

His son was replaced by Taniela Soko, who's participating in the 64kg category.

He said it was totally unfair as Muni was looking forward to achieving his dreams at the Mini Games.

"It's almost a year since he was focused in accomplishing his dream to win a medal in the mini games," the frustrated father said.

The 40-year-old father said the 51-kilogram fighter from Nadi took up the sport last year and has won all his five fights so far.

"To be dropped out of the squad in the last minute needs a better explanation," he said.

Mudaliar said his son told him that trainer/manager Pauliasi Ratu told Muni to prepare his passport to which he confirmed he did.

"I had $5000 for my son's preparation to participate.

"But then he was told the levy allocated could only allow only four fighters in the squad."

He added to be told that he was dropped from the squad on Thursday is totally uncalled for.

Mudaliar revealed the decision should have been relayed to his son a week before deadline and they would have made sacrifices to pay for his son's airfare.

"This is sheer politics and nothing else. Been left out of the squad to Kiribati he continued with his training with the hope of going to the Mini Games. I was confident that my son can win gold." He said the news was relayed to him by his son on Thursday that he was dropped.

"I'm very upset. It really spoils my son's future," he said.

FABA secretary Paula Raqeukai said through the recommendation from Ratu Mudaliar was dropped from the squad.

"It was a difficult decision for us as he was very active in training and participation in amateur boxing," Raqeukai said.

He said Mudaliar, 18, still has a long way to go.

"We cannot do much. We cannot deny that he's a very good fighter," said the former amateur fighter.

He said amateur boxing is very fortunate to have sent a team to the Games, since Fiji Association of Sports and National Committee had earlier made a decision not to send a team to the Cooks game.

The team flew out yesterday for the Cook Islands.