2012 OLYMPICS: PACQUIAO AND THE OLYMPICS
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 09 Jun 2012
Manny Pacquiao became the first Filipino Olympic non-participant in the Team Philippines to act as the flag-bearer during the August 8 opening ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympics at the Beijing National Stadium. Swimmer Miguel Molina, 2005 Southeast Asian Games? Best Male Athlete, who was first identified as the national flag-bearer gave way to Pacquiao, upon the request of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to the Philippine national sports officials at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Pacquiao, who is set to fight challenger Timothy Bradley this coming June 9 at MGM Grand, Las Vegas Nevada, endorses the active campaign to support the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) in its quest for the first Olympic gold medal.
Pacquiao appeared many times on TV, admitting that the Olympic boxing gold is the only achievement he lacks in his colorful and brilliant globally famous boxing career. He persuaded benefactors and sponsors to support and contribute to the cause for the glory of the country.
But according to former North Cotabato governor Manny Pi?ol the success of the eight-division world champion is affecting the amateur boxing program and the quest for the Olympic gold. With a population of over 100 million and the passionate love of boxing, only one boxer qualified for the London Olympics in the person of Mark Anthony Barriga. Ironically, the very tiny nation of Seychelles will be sending also one boxer.
And the Philippines is boasting of four world boxing champions in the professional ranks, namely, Pacquiao, Nonito Donaire, Sonny Boy Jaro , and Donnie Nietes. This is one solid proof that we are not deficient in talent, only our boxers would prefer to acquire wealth than the medal.
?Manny Pacquiao's success is hurting our amateur boxing program because every young boy now would like to become Manny Pacquiao,? lamented Pi?ol. ?They don't want to be amateur because there is simply no money in it, it is just a dream of a (Olympic) gold and it is actually more difficult to win than a world boxing title.?
Pacquiao is the idol of the poor who would want to emulate his rags to riches fairy-tale-like life story. And talented fighters who dreamed of someday becoming a world champion and a multi-millionaire like him would not stay in the amateurs.
Just recently AIBA deleted the ?amateur? tag and is now called International Boxing Association. The AIBA professional boxing program could be a start for the better financial future of the boxers who can still fight in the Olympics while earning huge prizes from the fights they trained hardly for.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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