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ABAP
starts 2009
w/ national open tilt After
a third straight Olympic shoutout, Philippine boxing hopes to come out swinging
with renewed vigor in the coming year.
The
optimism stems from the takeover of a new set of leaders for the sport, the promise
of support from the "major forces of the south" and, more importantly,
a fresh source of funds.
Not
one to waste time, the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines, led by incoming
president Ricky Vargas, will hold a national open championships on Jan. 17-24
in Bacolod City.
"This
gets us very excited because we are starting to lay out the groundwork toward
the London Olympics," incoming Abap secretary-general Pato Gregorio told
the Inquirer yesterday.
Gregorio
and Vargas will begin their term on Jan. 1 along with PLDT/Smart CEO Manny V.
Pangilinan, who is the new Abap chair.
The
national championships, according to Gregorio, will also coincide with a boxing
conference among all stakeholders in the sport including Cebu boxing bigwig Antonio
Aldeguer, North Cotabato Vice Gov. Manny Pinol and Davao Congressman Tony Boy
Floirendo.
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| | "We
have reached out to them, and they are willing to help," said Gregorio, who
also announced plans by the Abap to build regional training centers in Visayas
and Mindanao.
At
present there are only two training centers located inside the Rizal Memorial
Sports Center and in Baguio City.
"Slowly,
the boxers will feel the change," added Gegorio.
During the holidays,
Vargas donated a reported P500,000 for the repair of the Abap offices and boxer's
quarters inside the RMSC. | "That
came from the personal fund of Mr. Vargas, and also from Welcoat Paints,"
he said.
Gregorio
is also counting on the promise by the reigning pound-for-pound boxing king Manny
Pacquiao to help amateur boxing.
"After
his last two or three fights, we hope to get his support all the way to the London
Olympics (2012)," Gregorio said.
Long-time
Abap president Manny Lopez, criticized when lone Olympic boxing bet Harry Tañamor
lost in his first bout last August in Beijing, decided to step down but remained
in the association as its vice president.
Tañamor
eventually redeemed himself by winning the gold medal in the Aiba World Boxing
Cup in Moscow almost two weeks ago although Olympic gold medalist Zou Zhiming
did not see action. (PDI)  | 
