RP pugs to undergo extensive build up program for 2 int?l meets
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 05 Jan 2010
An extensive program geared towards the country?s participation in two big international sporting events scheduled one after another this year -- the Youth Olympic Games and the Asian Games -- has been set in place by the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines.
First in the calendar is the National Boxing Championships slated this coming January 25-30 to be hosted by Mayor Edward Hagedorn in Puerto Princesa City where all the 40-member national training pool will be participating along with new fresh talents from the provinces.
ABAP executive director Ed Picson told yesterday's PSA Forum at the PSC main dining hall that Mayor Hagedorn has already signed the memorandum of agreement with ABAP regarding the hosting of the tournament.
The boxing association, proud of its five-gold, three-silver and one-bronze haul in Laos despite sending only 10 boxers, is also holding an international tournament that will coincide with ABAP chairman and PLDT/Smart big boss Manny V. Pangilinan?s birthday on July 14.
"It will not be in the level of the King's Cup in Thailand that attracts around 30 countries. We will start small. We're looking at six countries. We will call it the MVP Cup, and it's already in the drawing board," said Picson on behalf of Pangilinan and ABAP president Ricky Vargas.
An international tournament set sometime April in Azerbaijan that will serve as a qualifying tournament for the Youth Olympics in Singapore on Aug. 14 to 21, is next in the hectic 2010 agenda.
Also lined up are several other international stints leading to the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China in November, Picson, speaking in behalf of ABAP president Ricky Vargas, disclosed. The Filipino fighters will be out to improve on a pair of gold medals Violito Payla and Joan Tipon brought home four years ago in Doha, Qatar.
"Five or six international tournaments before the Asian Games will be good for us. The level of competition in the Asian Games is higher so we will make sure that our boxers are properly trained, taken cared of and well-equipped," Picson said.
Picson said his association will make sure that the women boxers will be given exposures like their male counterparts. The female boxers, led by Annie Albania, accounted for three of the five gold medals in Laos where the Philippines jumped from sixth overall after in 2007 to a modest fifth.
Joining Albania in the country?s gold medal harvest in boxing are Jose Gabuco and Kate Aparri in the distaff side and Bill Vicera and Charly Suarez in the men?s division.
"I have full confidence that we will be competitive although I cannot promise anything. We're there and it's just a matter of being more focused in our programs. With proper support from government and private sector I don't see why we can't succeed," the ABAP executive said.
Picson added that unlike the past years, the association will not be hiring foreign coaches.
"To us, the number one factor in coaching is still communication. Even if you have all the knowledge if you cannot communicate well with your boxers, it means nothing," said Picson, adding that they have decided to do away with the Cuban coaches, at least temporarily.
(Top photo : R.P. women?s boxing team with coaching staff;
Photo below: the author with SEA Games and Asian Indoor games gold medal winner Annie Albania)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
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