Pacquiao To Be Given Red Carpet Welcome In National Youth Slugfest
By Alex P. Vidal
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 09 Feb 2008
ILOILO CITY ? Describing him as a ?national hero and model for the youths?, organizers of the 2008 National Open Youth, Women Amateur Boxing Championships to be held here on April 6-12, vowed to provide a red carpet welcome for Manny Pacquiao who will be invited to grace the championship day on April 12.
?Because of his status, he will be accorded all the necessary attention given a VIP and a national hero,? vowed amateur boxing organizer Marlon Lumacad, who brought up the idea of inviting the 29-year-old ring superstar in the week-long slugfest in coordination with the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP), GMA-7 and Iloilo City Government.
Lumacad, 53, said he has already conferred the matter with ABAP secretary general Rogelio Fortaleza and the GMA management here.
He said he also had initial talks with Iloilo City sports coordinator Jojo Castro and Councilor Jose Espinosa III, chairman of the Iloilo City Sports Council, regarding the plan to prepare a grand welcome for the most popular athlete in the country today.
?Since we are confident that Pacquiao will easily beat (WBC superfeatherweight champion Juan Manuel) Marquez on March 15, his presence during the national open will certainly add prestige to the event,? Lumacad stressed. ?Just imagine what will the amateur boxers feel if they see Pacquiao personally handing them the gold medals during the championship.?
He added that he has gotten the assurance of a big hotel here for the availability of a presidential suit for the boxing icon should he approved the invitation which will be coursed through the Office of the City Mayor, Lumacad said.
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