VARGAS PLEASED WITH OPENING DAY FIGHTS IN NATIONAL AMATEUR BOXING CHAMPIONSHIPS
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 06 Mar 2012
The president of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines, Ricky Vargas, who was cited as the ?Executive of the Year? by the Philippine Sportswriters Association at its annual awards last Saturday said he was pleased with the opening day bouts in the PLDT-ABAP national championships which punched off in Carmen, Bohol on Sunday.
Vargas told the Manila Standard the fights were ?very good? even as he said he enjoyed the exhibition bouts of female hopefuls Josie Gabuco, Kate Aparri and Nesty Petacio against Sri Lankan female boxers who are enjoying a training stint in the Philippines.
He said the Filipina boxers who are vying for slots in the 2012 London Olympic Games will leave for Thailand and Mongolia for further training before competing in the final Olympic qualifier.
Around 140 boxers from 25 teams from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao are competing in the national championship being held in Carmen which is 57 kilometers north of Tagbilaran, the provincial capital.
Carmen Mayor Conchita Torribio delos Reyes, granddaughter of 1932 Olympics bronze medalist Simeon Torribio, and Tagbilaran Mayor Dan Neri Lim welcomed the participants as well as RP boxing officials led by ABAP president Ricky Vargas, secretary-general Patrick Gregorio and executive director Ed Picson, PLDT AVP Dodie Lucas, and Smart Sports? Epok Quimpo.
Vargas said he was happy to note that multi-titled national swimmer Akiko Thompson who is a commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission was also in Carmen.
Vargas who is a fervent advocate of placing care and concern for the athletes in any sport above all else has also told us that the athletes must also appreciate the privilege of representing the country and giving of their very best anchored on a commitment to discipline, hard work and integrity.
In his remarks in Bohol, the ABAP president who is being convinced to run for the POC presidency later this year said ?This is what grassroots development is all about. ABAP makes sure we go to the countryside to be able to flush out raw talent that would have otherwise been left unnoticed.?
The president of Maynilad pointed out ?It?s easier for us to go to them than for them to come to us. And were are heartened to see so many who have come out to show their wares. I?m confident we will see a lot of potential here.?
Two AIBA officials graced the opening ceremony and later held a seminar and conducted a licensing examination for 15 national referees seeking to earn international status as ring officials, including a female referee from Mongolia.
Day Two of the competition Monday will be held in Maribojoc, Bohol.
Photo: RICKY Vargas, president of Maynilad Water and the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines, seated 3rd left, graces the opening of the 2012 PLDT-ABAP National Amateur Boxing Championship in Carmen, Bohol. Also in photo (seated) are: Carmen Vice Mayor Pedro Budiongan, left; Dodie Lucas, PLDT AVP, 2nd left; Carmen Mayor Conchita ?Che? Torribio delos Reyes, 4th left; Francisco delos Reyes, 2nd right; and Tagbilaran Mayor Dan Neri Lim, right; standing from left are Smart Sports? Epok Quimpo and Carlos Leviste, 2nd and 3rd, Dr. Dino Vargas 5th, Patrick Gregorio, ABAP secretary-general, 3rd right; Norris Oculam, president Bohol Chamber of Commerce, 2nd right; and Ed Picson, ABAP executive director, right. (Photo by Rafi Silerio)
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