
MVP AND VARGAS RETAIN POSTS IN THE NEW ABAP
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 06 Jun 2013

Maynilad executive Ricky Vargas was reelected President and Smart-PLDT tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan was reelected Chairman when ABAP held its general assembly and elections last May 31 at the Quezon City Sports Club.
ABAP is now called Alliances of Boxing Associations in the Philippines. It was a move in consonance with the directive of the AIBA to drop the name "amateur" in all member national associations following its own move. AIBA is now simply called International Boxing Association.
Gov. Oscar Moreno, mayor-elect of Cagayan de Oro City, was reelected as vice chairman. While my good friend former Mayor Rey Bautista of Baguio City is the newly elected ABAP Vice President.
During the general assembly, the 17-man board members were nominated and elected and in turn hold the election of officers for a fresh four-year term.
This writer being the president of the Southern Leyte Boxing Association, received an invitation, but sent Maasin City Sports Council Chairman and City Administrator Atty. Feorillo Demeterio, Jr. as proxy due to conflicts with my commitments as city mayor.
Congressman Manny Pacquiao was chosen as representative for Region 12 and automatically became a member of the board. Patrick Gregorio was again appointed as Secretary General while Ed Picson retained his position as Executive Director.
Percy Della of Philippine Daily Inquirer recorded a total of 107 medals won by ABAP boxers in international competitions which include 52 golds, 23 silvers and 32 bronzes under Vargas' first term.
The MVP Group bankrolled the participation in every available international tournament that our boxers can join. There were successes and failures. And the most challenging one is the lone qualifier in the 2012 London Olympics in Mark Anthony Barriga and failed to get a medal.
The grassroots development program of ABAP is not wanting. It has a yearly Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao and NCR qualifier culminating in th national boxing championships which Maasin City hosted this year.
Here's hoping that the new term for the bigwigs of the new ABAP will reach more heights in the quest for the first ever Olympic gold medal.

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