WBO 29TH CONVENTION OPENS IN PUERTO RICO
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 18 Oct 2016
SAN JUAN ? The 29th WBO Annual Convention, presided by WBO president Francisco 'Paco' Valcarcel, officially opened Tuesday morning, Oct. 17, at the San Cristobal Hall of the plush Caribe Hilton Hotel here with more than 300 participants from all over the world.
On the agenda are the elections of officers after the general assembly and the convening of the executive committee on the morning of the first day. This will be followed by reports from the president, the treasurer and the championship and the grievance committees. A book signing on Christian Gaudice's book 'A Fire Burns Within: The Miraculous Journey of Wilfredo Gomez' will highlight the morning's activities.
In the afternoon of the first day, regional vice presidents from North America, International, Latino, Europe and Asia Pacific, Africa and China Zone will present their reports. Another book signing on Gaudice's book is scheduled in the early evening followed by a boxing event starting at 8:30 p.m. At the San Geronimo Hall to be headlined by Edgardo 'Sasso' Lopez, Amanda Serrano, Jose 'Wonderboy' Lopez and David Quijano.
On the second day, the executive committee will continue their discussions while seminars of officials and the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) testing for judges and referees are scheduled the whole day with guest speakers Dr Nitin Sethi, Dr Barry Jordan and Dr Paul Wallace will speak in the morning.
On the third and final day, the highly anticipated Championship and Ratings Committee discussion will commence while the Executive Committee winds down their business. In the evening, a gala dinner closes the convention.
President Francisco 'Paco' Valcarcel (C) opens the 29th WBO Convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico Tuesday morning.
L-R: Alberto Reyes, Liza Elorde, Johnny Elorde and GAB chairman Abraham Mitra.
L-R: Surat Songkachoi, Leon Panoncillo Jr, Lisa Giampa, Sawaeng Thawekon, Edward Ligas and Pinit Prayabsab.
Meanwhile, a large number of delegates showed up during Monday night's traditional getting-to-know-you cocktail held at the Blue Martini Bar just across the Hilton with WBO officials, judge, referees, boxing promoters, managers and other stakeholders renewed their camaraderie which has blossomed thru the years and welcomed new faces in the crowd.
Newly minted Philippine Games and Amusements Board commissioner Abraham Mitra head the Philippine delegation and was seen in animated conversation with the Elorde couple Johnny and Liza Elorde and Alberto Reyes of the Cleto Reyes boxing gloves fame. Boxing judge Edward Ligas and this writer arrived in Puerto Rico on time to catch up the evening's affair.
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