Baham Mitra: WBC Regional Annual Conventions Planned for the Philippines
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 04 Oct 2018
It is very possible that the third WBC Annual Women's Convention, as well as the conventions of other regional WBC bodies could be held all-together in Manila, Philippines.
That is the plan of GAB Chairman Abraham "Baham" Mitra who has been in Kyiv, capital of Ukraine, leading the Filipino delegation to the 56th World Boxing Council (WBC) Annual Convention.
Mitra is interested in bringing to the Philippines the annual conventions of four federations of the WBC: the WBC Women's, the Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF), the WBC Muay Thai, plus the WBC Asian Boxing Council, all four conventions at the same time.
Normally, the conventions of the federations -- which are part of the WBC -- are held separately in different cites on different dates. Mitra's efforts aim at getting all four conventions on the same date in the same city, Manila, the capital city of the Philippines.
Top photo (L-R): GAB chairman Baham Mitra, WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman, Filipina celebrity Liza Elorde and husband Promoter Johnny Elorde.
GAB chairman Mitra leads the Filipino delegation to the 56th WBC Convention in Kyiv, Ukraine.
It's an ambitious plan. But if it materializes, the event would a be a unique, well-attended WBC four-in-one convention that would make the Philippines the center of attention of WBC boxing for the whole of Asia.
Furthermore, the dream plan already has the support and approval of the WBC Board of Governors and the WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman, who likes the idea, requesting the audience in Kyiv for a round of applause for Chairman Mitra and the Filipino delegation.
"We are still finishing details," shared Mitra.
"But I hope that the plan pushes thru. Availability of venues are very tight. Also, a letter from the office of the President says PICC should be a priority.. plus, December is a very busy month. But I am crossing my fingers," said Mitra, 48, a former governor and congressman in the Philippines.
Legendary Referee Bruce McTavish accompanied by his wife and GAB Chairman Baham Mitra in Ukraine.
He added: "If the plan marches forward, it would be a great honor for the Philippines, and for the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) to once again welcome the World Boxing Council (WBC) to our country.
"Importantly, the convention could benefit our Filipino boxers and contribute to our Filipino boxing community to achieve further accomplishments," said Mitra, who last year led the Philippines Games and Amusement Board (GAB) to win the prestigious WBC Commission of the Year Award, an award handed to him at last year's WBC convention.
Mitra in Ukraine with none other than legendary fighter Hands of Stone Roberto Duran.
In last year's WBC convention, GAB captured the award for the Philippines, besting other 151 member countries.
"Should our plan succeed, there would be a WBC Asia Awards Night as well as the OPBF annual meeting. Also, medical lectures, seminars for ring officials, boxing clinics by field's experts, plus gala dinners, Corregidor tours. In addition, our orphanages would receive contributions by the organization WBC Cares, and more."
It remains to be seen if Mitra's grand WBC Four-in-One Convention plan gets through.
But so far the good intention has been received with positivism and enthusiasm in Ukraine and in Philippines, prompting a wave of support for the Games and Amusement Board (GAB) and its chairman.
The author Carlos Costa is a veteran Fight Reporter living in Cebu, Philippines. Carlos can be reached by email: Carlos512@hotmail.com and Whatsapp: +639184538152.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
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