RP boxing officials begin plans for London Olympic gold bid
MANILA, Philippines – The new leadership in the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) is asking the entire nation to be patient as they chart the course for a possible first Olympic gold medal the in 2012 London Games.
“Our quest for the first Olympic gold will be a long journey that will have its ups and downs, heartaches and we’ll be at our lowest point. But we can reach our vision if we all unite," said ABAP president Ricky Vargas, who replaced Manny Lopez.
Vargas said he would like to see Filipino boxing supporters and sports leaders to veer away from the usual ‘gold or nothing’ approach and instead join ABAP in trekking a long and hard journey that may lead to Olympic success in London.
“We have put too much emphasis on the ‘gold or nothing’ approach but we failed to realize that to achieve the gold, we have to create a road which is a good program," said Vargas.
Boxing was once the country’s source of gold medals in international tournaments but the sport suffered heartaches one after the other during the 2007 Thailand Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) and the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Only one gold medal was won in the 2007 SEA Games after the old ABAP leadership ordered six of the seven male boxers who reached the gold-medal round to concede their matches to Thai rivals in protest of what they deemed as biased officiating.
The Philippines had a disastrous campaign in the Beijing Olympics as only Harry Tañamor survived the qualifying events but absorbed a first round defeat against unknown Manyo Planque of Ghana.
Vargas also made known that ABAP will continue its grassroots development hoping to find new talents from the provinces.
He said that ABAP is ready to give potential young boxers, age 15 to 18, the right training and support needed since they will be tasked to carry the drive for the gold in the London Olympics. “Boxing, just like basketball, has many talents and I want to see new faces competing in the Olympic qualifying tournaments for the London Games."
The Laos SEA Games is the country’s stepping stone to realize that Olympic gold dream and ABAP plans to send the best new and veteran boxers to compete in the December Games.
Vargas added that he would fight for the inclusion of the young boxers to the Philippine team in the Laos SEA Games, which is not possible based on the Philippine Olympic Committee’s approved criteria that members assured of a spot are those who have won either a gold or silver medal in the 2007 Thailand edition.
“The POC should give NSAs some leeway in the selection for us to give our up-and-coming athletes the chance to compete. Otherwise we will find ourselves sending rehashed boxers to the London Olympics," said Vargas. – GMANews.TV
“Our quest for the first Olympic gold will be a long journey that will have its ups and downs, heartaches and we’ll be at our lowest point. But we can reach our vision if we all unite," said ABAP president Ricky Vargas, who replaced Manny Lopez.
Vargas said he would like to see Filipino boxing supporters and sports leaders to veer away from the usual ‘gold or nothing’ approach and instead join ABAP in trekking a long and hard journey that may lead to Olympic success in London.
“We have put too much emphasis on the ‘gold or nothing’ approach but we failed to realize that to achieve the gold, we have to create a road which is a good program," said Vargas.
Boxing was once the country’s source of gold medals in international tournaments but the sport suffered heartaches one after the other during the 2007 Thailand Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) and the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Only one gold medal was won in the 2007 SEA Games after the old ABAP leadership ordered six of the seven male boxers who reached the gold-medal round to concede their matches to Thai rivals in protest of what they deemed as biased officiating.
The Philippines had a disastrous campaign in the Beijing Olympics as only Harry Tañamor survived the qualifying events but absorbed a first round defeat against unknown Manyo Planque of Ghana.
Vargas also made known that ABAP will continue its grassroots development hoping to find new talents from the provinces.
He said that ABAP is ready to give potential young boxers, age 15 to 18, the right training and support needed since they will be tasked to carry the drive for the gold in the London Olympics. “Boxing, just like basketball, has many talents and I want to see new faces competing in the Olympic qualifying tournaments for the London Games."
The Laos SEA Games is the country’s stepping stone to realize that Olympic gold dream and ABAP plans to send the best new and veteran boxers to compete in the December Games.
Vargas added that he would fight for the inclusion of the young boxers to the Philippine team in the Laos SEA Games, which is not possible based on the Philippine Olympic Committee’s approved criteria that members assured of a spot are those who have won either a gold or silver medal in the 2007 Thailand edition.
“The POC should give NSAs some leeway in the selection for us to give our up-and-coming athletes the chance to compete. Otherwise we will find ourselves sending rehashed boxers to the London Olympics," said Vargas. – GMANews.TV
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