Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) President Dr Robin Mitchell urged National Federations to use his organisation's development programme at the International Boxing Association (AIBA) Continental Forum in Sigatoka.
 
Dr Mitchell gave a presentation on the Oceania Sports Education Programme (OSEP), which offers courses on administration, coaching, strength and conditioning, and team management. 
 
The first OSEP online course was launched last year and is an alternative leadership training option for those unable to travel or do a face to face module.
 
Dr Mitchell highlighted how Oceania Hockey and Oceania Rugby have successfully integrated OSEP courses into their training and education programmes, and urged boxing to do the same.
 
"The OSEP courses are solutions you need to take advantage of," he said.
 
The Fijian, who is also the Acting Association of National Olympic Committees President, congratulated AIBA on the initiative of holding Continental Forums. 
 
He highlighted the need to hold such a meeting in Oceania, claiming boxing was an important sport for the region but they had slipped behind in terms of performance levels. 
 
Sixteen of the 17 Oceanian National Federations were in attendance, with only Guam missing. 
 
AIBA Interim President Mohamed Moustahsane and Marketing Commission chair Kremlev attended the meeting, as did Fiji's Secretary of Youth and Sports Jone Nemani Maretino, Oceania Boxing Confederation President Ted Tanner and Fiji Amateur Boxing Association President Manasa Baravilala. 
 
The Forums were devised by Kremlev to create fruitful dialogue between AIBA, Confederations and National Federations after a crisis-riddled year for the organisation.
 
AIBA was stripped of its Olympic status last June over a number of issues, including governance, finances and refereeing and judging.
 
The organisation's future remains precarious due to a large amount of debt and uncertain leadership, with Moustahsane currently acting as Interim President after the resignation of Uzbekistan's Gafur Rakhimov.    
 
Assisi in Italy is hosting the European Forum on Saturday (February 29).

SOURCE: INSIDE THE GAMES/PACNEWS
 

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