DE LA VEGA: IT?S SOUL-SEARCHING TIME FOR ABAP LEADERSHIP
By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 10 Aug 2016
With the disappointing news that Philippines? best bet for a boxing medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics, Rogen Ladon going down in an unexpected defeat today and Charley Suarez tanking on the first day of boxing competition, perhaps it is time for the amateur boxing leaders in the Philippines to face the truth and decide what is best for Philippine boxing. That painful decision may include changing all those in the leadership including Ricky Vargas, Ed Picson, Patrick Gregorio and the whole coaching staff.
Don?t get me wrong. Vargas, Picson and Gregorio plus the whole coaching staff had done wonders for Philippine amateur boxing but they had been doing the same for years (8 years?) with no tangible results that can be described as truly on the international level.
True, they have guided our boxers to many international wins but those wins were mostly on the regional levels and they never happened when they counted most - in the world stage of the Olympics.
Perhaps it's time for soul searching and find new leadership with different and fresh ideas.
But most of all, when these new people are found, more intensive government support must be provided to them. The quest for Olympic gold medals cost money and if the country truly wants to get even one, the government must do more than what they have done before. It?s not fair to solely depend on the wonderful patron of the sports Sir Manny Pangilinan. We must have full support of government and build more and better facilities scattered nationwide.
We commend ABAP President Ricky Vargas for recognizing the need for new blood.
Vargas in his text message to that veritable writer, Ronnie Nathanielsz stated: ?Maybe time for new leadership partner. Time to go for me.?
We could not agree more.
However, we do not agree in his suggestion to give the ABAP Presidency to Manny Pacquiao. The rookie Senator and boxing icon may have the best intentions for the Filipinos in his heart, but that does not mean he will be the best for the position. At this point and time Pacquiao has too much on his plate already. It is unfair to give him more responsibilities. Let?s just leave him to his legislative duties.
The best thing to do is create a search committee made up of all the stake-holders in the sport like promoters, trainers, coaches, ex-world boxing champions and boxing journalists.
Pacquiao being a boxing champion can chair the committee. However, let us not include other politicians for the simple reason that they may have a different agenda from what we are trying to accomplish.
Give the committee the responsibility to find the best guys to lead amateur boxing. And when they find them, give the new leaders autonomy to do what is best for the sport and support them with the proper budget to get their job done. But, they must be made aware that they must produce within a stated period of time.
Now more than ever is the best time to buckle down and get these things done. Philippine amateur boxing has been on the gutter too long. We need to change all of that- and that should be done now!
Come to think of it, I really think we must revamp the whole sports scene and change our thinking. Perhaps we should focus more on the sports we have a chance to win medals and not waste money on those that we know but refuse to admit, where we do not have a chance base on our God-given physicality.
Photo: Sports patron Manny V. Pangilinan (L) and ABAP president Ricky Vargas.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
PIONEERING FILIPINO BOXERS TAKE SPOTLIGHT ON FIL-AM HISTORY MONTH (PART I)
By Dong Secuya, Thu, 16 Oct 2025BOXING HALL OF FAME RELEASES FALL 2025 LETTER OF APPEAL SEEKING FUNDRAISING SUPPORT
Thu, 16 Oct 2025Mendoza bags bronze
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 16 Oct 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 20: MUHAMMAD ALI VS. JOE FRAZIER III ON OCTOBER 1, 1975 AT THE ARANETA COLISEUM
By Maloney L. Samaco, Thu, 16 Oct 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: History of Boxing in Reynosa, Tamaulipas
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Thu, 16 Oct 2025YORK HALL PRESS CONFERENCE: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AS CONWAY AND LIDDARD GET SET FOR HUGE DOMESTIC CLASH
Wed, 15 Oct 2025Unbeaten Super Featherweight Contender Andres Cortes Set for Return on October 18 Against Derlyn Hernandez-Geraldo in Long Beach
Wed, 15 Oct 2025JOEL “LETHAL” LEWIS RETURNS NOV 28TH THUNDERDOME 52 – METRO CITY PERTH
Wed, 15 Oct 2025Shane Mosley Sr. Blasts Oscar De La Hoya of Blocking Son’s Title Shot, Calls for Trilogy Fight on Drew & Pris Uncensored podcast
Wed, 15 Oct 2025MASOUD vs McGRAIL HEADLINES BLOCKBUSTER MONTE-CARLO SHOWDOWN VI CARD ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6 – LIVE ON DAZN
Wed, 15 Oct 2025WFM Mendoza seizes lead in 2025 FIDE World Youth Chess Championship
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 15 Oct 2025YOENLI HERNANDEZ KNOCKS OUT RAMON DELACRUZ SENA IN FIRST ROUND OF MAIN EVENT OF FISTS OF FURY 8
Wed, 15 Oct 2025BEN WHITTAKER TITLE SHOT CONFIRMED WITH PRESS CONFERENCE THIS FRIDAY
Wed, 15 Oct 2025GOLDEN BOY ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP TO BOOST AMATEUR TALENT IN CHIHUAHUA, MEXICO
Wed, 15 Oct 2025SHANNON RYAN: I'M READY TO BRING 'KAOS' TO YORK HALL THIS WEEK
Wed, 15 Oct 2025