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What it all means
Written by staff   
Saturday, 24 January 2009 07:33

So many stories, so little space.

That was the general sentiment of media delegates to the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines Congress here Thursday afternoon. As of this writing, the intrepid sports journalists of The Star (including yours truly, fellow columnist Quinito Henson and reporter Joey Villar) and others are trying to piece together all the stories that spray out from a unique gathering of unparalleled boxing muscle.

You’ve all heard of the huge incentives handed out by Smart-PLDT as announced by their head and ABAP chair Manny Pangilinan for the medallists not just in the coming London Olympics, but also in all other international competitions below that. Needless to say, it brought a roar from the crowd. Last week, The STAR received information that the London gold was worth P10 million, but Smart-PLDT generously decided to up the ante. When you break it down, a P12 million jackpot for the country’s first Olympic gold medal that counts is a lifetime of comfort for a poor boxer and his extended family. In four years, that’s P3 million a year, or P 250,000 a month, the equivalent of the salary of a higher executive in many corporations. With that at stake, our boxers would practically kill their opponents to secure their future.

It will also mean a sudden explosion of applicants for the national pool, which will geometrically expand our talent base. The initial database of some 650 boxers and coaches will enlarge dramatically in the next months. ABAP secretary-general Patrick Gregorio’s presentation showed simple photos of how they envision regional training centers. He said that, if any locality has similar structures, ABAP wouldn’t mind having many training centers.

During the congress, the regional delegations broke out into groups, and listed their concerns and ideas. The NSA’s national leadership is studying the suggestions, and how best to integrate them in the program. ABAP president Ricky Vargas explained how accountability would be a pillar of the new management, and how they would build on what was accomplished by their predecessors. An Advisory Council will be created, to include outgoing Philippine Sports Commission chair and new ABAP vice-chair Butch Ramirez, to bring in as many minds as possible. Vargas has always maintained that ABAP will now be inclusive, valuing ideas and performance over entitlement.

Much work remains to be done. ABAP has done consultation nationwide, and continues to refine its plans for the next four years. Its leaders sounded grimly determined to bring the country at least one Olympic gold medal. Former contributors to the cause, like Olympian and former Olympic coach Ric Fortaleza, now based in Australia, have even flown home to offer their services. International scouting will be another area of concern.

One necessity is filling in the box for executive director. Vargas and Gregorio reminded everyone that they do have day jobs, and laying everything in place was very challenging, but they need more help on the ground. They can’t keep taxing the corporate resources of Smart and PLDT forever. They need to install other professional managers to keep things moving.

On the grassroots level, there is still some minor tweaking of programs, as there always is. Minor details, like match-making for tournaments and scheduling of boxers’ arrival at the venue (so they don’t wait too long before fighting) are now being looked at. Upgrading of trainers and referees, and the improvement of our relationship with AIBA are priority concerns. Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Noli Eala, present to share his input with ABAP delegates, suggested flying in foreign judges and referees to conduct clinics, and heighten credibility to competitions. He also said that it would be a strong public relations tool and give the Philippines a face to the AIBA members.

Bringing together all the politically diverse groups under ABAP and those outside its umbrella also remains a ticklish, but less critical issue. The show of force by governors, congressmen and mayors illustrates the openness with which the community has received the new leadership. Philippine Olympic Committee chairman and Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella, who used all his resources to help ABAP put together the 2009 National Amateur Boxing Championship, reminded everyone of the magnitude of the task ahead, and spoke with reverence for the sport. It was moving, to say the least.

A clean slate is a good thing, but we also have to bear in mind what we’ve learned from history, and what mistakes we made before. Everybody’s watching, and the fresh mandate buys a decent honeymoon period.

There are still some further details about the implementation of programs, and at the end of the day, you can’t please everybody. But so far, so good. As US president Barack Obama said “Tonight we celebrate, but tomorrow, the work begins.”
 
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