LATE DON JOSE SULAIMAN AWARDED HIGHEST HONOR ANY MEXICAN SPORTSMAN CAN RECEIVE
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 28 Jan 2016
The late Don Jose Sulaiman who led the premier boxing organization, the World Boxing Council for almost four decades
has received the highest honor any Mexican sportsman or sportswoman can earn in an emotional ceremony at Mexico?s
presidential palace.
The late WBC president was awarded the coveted Premio Nacional, for brilliance, bravery, dedication and contribution to boxing.
Correspondent James Blears reported that the award was posthumously awarded for Don Jose's life's work, which primarily focused on transforming boxing into a safer sport.
The award was presented to Don Jose's Widow Dona Martha, by President Nieto after which she received a kiss and a hug, from her son and current WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman as she returned to her seat on the podium.
Blears reported that boxing's close knit family dressed up as never before for this special occasion at the Presidential Palace Los Pinos, which honored stars of many sports including
Paralympics, swimming, basketball, Tae Kwon Do, athletics and weight lifting.
Former world champion Cesar Bazan in an Oxford Blue suit, Isaac Bustos in a more conservative charcoal gray suit. WBC international female bantamweight champion Irma Garcia, resplendent in full Federal Police uniform as well as boxing greats Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield, George Foreman and promoter Don King were in the audience.
Alfredo Castillo Cervantes the Director General of the National Commission of culture, physical activity and sports, spoke of the discipline, dedication, persistence and repetition which make champions. The good days and also the bad days, being objective and individual efforts being reflected in dedicated team work.
The event was held in a marquee, close to the imposing statue
of Francisco I Madero, open to a breezy, but sunny early afternoon with the Presidential Palace's famous pine trees and other green deciduous trees gently swaying, or was it nodding in agreement.
Blears said that in a film of the sports stars there was a wonderful and poignant piece with Don Jose who said: "Mexico is my life and Mexicans are the best in the World."
It was recalled that President Sulaiman and President Pena Nieto met during Don Jose's life.
In his speech President Pena Nieto paid tribute to the unwavering dedication Don Jose had shown during his almost forty years leading Boxing's most prestigious organization. And he greeted Dona Martha and the Sulaiman Saldivar family plus boxers who were so proudly and affectionately representing him on this so memorable day.
He praised Don Jose's passion for boxing and the great gratitude Mexico and the World has for his life's work.
President Nieto spoke of the discipline, work and years of sacrifice it takes to be the best of the very best in Mexico.
The president concluded by saying all of these incredible sporting achievements are not so much for The Presidency or the
Government, but for the Mexican people and an ever so proud nation.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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