Mobile Home | Desktop Version




GOOD START BY NEW ABAP

By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 22 Jan 2009

BACOLOD CITY ? All is well in this most livable city which is the host of the 2009 Smart National Amateur Boxing Championships. The Negros Amateur Boxing Association (NABA) Vice President Oscar ?Dodong? Bascon serves as my gracious host as I arrived here on January 20, the same day the new US President Barack Obama was sworn into office.

Congressman Monico Puentevella?s men fetched me at the new Bacolod-Silay Airport and we went directly to the Negros Occidental Multi-Purpose Activity Center, the venue of the tournament. Two boxing rings were used and bouts for elite, juniors, youth and kids and female boxers were conducted.

The gym was packed of boxers, officials and spectators and the more than 600 participants who came out of the expected 400 contestants only, shows that confidence and interest in amateur boxing have reached tremendous heights with the new organizational set-up.

?Definitely, it?s the new set of ABAP officials which gives a fresh invigorating start that could lead to the complete reform of the sport of amateur boxing in the country,? said Bascon, also the President of the Negros Basketball Association and husband of Himamaylan City Mayor Carminia Bascon.

Delegation officials here are confident that the new ABAP is on the right launching. And with innovative inputs solicited from the different stakeholders in the Congress which will start today, the ABAP administrators are positive we have a solid chance of winning our first Olympic gold medal in boxing.

Manny Pacquiao?s presence in the opening ceremony renewed the general public?s interest in the sport, as the young boxers are similarly inspired to follow the footsteps of the world?s number one boxer pound-for-pound.

?It?s Pacquiao?s charisma which draws more people to patronize boxing,? added Bascon. ?And his international exploits made boxing a spectator sport for all ages and genders in the Philippines.?

My cordial host also tendered a lunch for mediamen from Manila, which I also joined. The more than two hours of discussion with the sportswriters and broadcasters gave new insights on sports, particularly amateur boxing. They were also impressed by the successful start of the national tournament.

Dodong also talked about his highly successful Negros Basketball Association ventures and his stint as owner of the Negros Slashers in the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association.



Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.

Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Carl Jammes Martin Shines in Dominant US Debut Victory in Las Vegas
    By Dong Secuya, Sun, 01 Jun 2025
  • Yes (Pa)Cers, It's Indiana in the NBA Finals, Smothers New York Knicks in Game 6, 125-108
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sun, 01 Jun 2025
  • GM Quizon rules 1st Bino Car Rental Open chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 01 Jun 2025
  • Pacquiao vs. Barrios Press Conference: A Clash of Eras Takes Center Stage in Las Vegas (Photos)
    By Dong Secuya, Sun, 01 Jun 2025
  • Viva Promotions chief Brendan Gibbons slowly stepping out of his famous dad's shadow
    By Homer D. Sayson, Sun, 01 Jun 2025
  • Stacked Card Unveiled for Manny Pacquiao’s Highly Anticipated Return
    By Dong Secuya, Sat, 31 May 2025
  • BEKTEMIR MELIKUZIEV DEFEATS DARIUS FULGHUM IN WBA SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE ELIMINATOR THRILLER
    Sat, 31 May 2025
  • AFM Benoni Wabe Champ in the IIEE National Midyear Convention Tournament in CDO
    By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 31 May 2025
  • Bektemir Melikuziev Edges Darius Fulghum in Thrilling WBA Title Eliminator
    By Dong Secuya, Sat, 31 May 2025
  • A Bridge to Plant versus Charlo is the theme for PBC/Amazon Card on Saturday
    By Chris Carlson, Sat, 31 May 2025
  • WEIGHIN RESULTS FROM LAS VEGAS: Plant - 167.2. lbs., Resendiz - 167 lbs.; Charlo - 167.4 lbs., LaManna - 166.6 lbs.
    Sat, 31 May 2025
  • BAM: I WANT TO BE POUND-FOR-POUND NUMBER ONE!
    Sat, 31 May 2025
  • QUOTES FROM TODAY’S “HALL OF FAME FIGHT NIGHT” VIRTUAL PRESS CONFERENCE
    Sat, 31 May 2025
  • Reymart Soledad In Action for ABF Welter Strap in Brico Santig's Promotion in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, Sat, 31 May 2025
  • Konuk, Chaiyapong Make Weight, Collide for UBO Youth World 140
    By Carlos Costa, Sat, 31 May 2025