Philippines, 12 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


GAB appeals to restart pro sports


PhilBoxing.com



Mitra.

GAB chairman Baham Mitra said yesterday he is awaiting notice from the IATF’s Technical Working Group (TWG) for a meeting to determine when to restart professional sporting events under strict health and safety protocols so athletes could be given the chance to continue making a living for their families.

Mitra and GAB commissioners Eduard Trinidad and Mario Masanguid co-signed a letter to IATF chair Secretary Francisco Duque, co-chairs Secretaries Karlo Nograles and Roy Cimatu and chief implementor of the National Task Force against COVID-19 Carlito Galvez assuring that there are “more than enough safety and health protocols to prevent, if not eliminate, any or all possible means of transmission of the COVID-19 virus in sports competitions, ensuring utmost safety and protection for all event participants even under GCQ or modified ECQ while at the same time, allowing our professional sports athletes and other sports practitioners to earn their living just like other professional practitioners in the country are able to do so during these conditions.”

With the letter, Mitra submitted a 56-page document detailing a framework within which to restart sporting events. The letter was dated last June 4 and Mitra made a presentation to the IATF a week later. Included in the presentation was a request of the PBA and the Philippine Football Federation to be allowed to resume practice without scrimmages. The PBA proposal is for only four players, a medical officer and a trainer on the court for individual training. The GAB framework specifies measures for the resumption of professional sports in the new normal.

The virtual meeting took about 25 minutes. “I couldn’t sleep the night before because I was nervous,” said Mitra. “I wanted to make a sincere appeal in behalf of the athletes. Pros are in a difficult and different situation from amateurs who receive assistance from the PSC. Three to four months of no activity for pro boxers, for instance, is like a lifetime with no means of livelihood. We realize the priority of government is health then economy then amusement. So we understand why it’s taking a little long to act on our appeal.”

Mitra said his presentation focused on boxing, basketball, football and cockfighting backed by animated simulations and actual footage of boxing restarts in Las Vegas. “Football’s suggestion is to hold practices and games in Carmona,” he said. “Our football protocols are being copied by other federations. Horseracing is back but off-track-betting remains restricted. VIP lounges in casinos are now open.”

Mitra said no schedule has been set with TWG. “We are in talks with the Department of Health and PSC representatives to align with their joint administrative order,” he said. “I explained to them that professional athletes play or fight for their livelihood and don’t have allowances. We also can’t restrict Filipinos abroad (from fighting) as they are not licensed by GAB. I’ve been following up with TWG but they seem really busy specially with the number of infections rising.”

Mitra said he is seeking clarification from the IATF if team and contact sports like football, basketball, boxing, muay thai and mixed martial arts, among others, are included in the sporting events permitted under modified GCQ with participants limited to 50 percent of the venue seating capacity.

“With the current resumption of boxing and contact sports activities in other countries, foreign promoters, particularly those involved in world championship bouts, are already starting to negotiate fights with our local managers, boxers and fighters,” said Mitra. “We know that championship bouts provide not only a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our boxers but also bring honor and pride to the country.”


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Taylor vs. Serrano Trilogy: Can Amanda Get The Nod?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • BERLANGA-SHEERAZ, STEVENSON-CEPEDA, MORELL-KHATAEV MAKE WEIGHT IN NEW YORK
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • Johnny Spell Takes on Chancellor Batttenberg on Saturday, July 19th at the Hollywood Casino at the Meadows in Washington, PA
    , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • JV Tuazon, Ador Torres, Lemuel De Barbo, Jomar Fajardo Make Weight for Brico Santig's Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Philippine Under-12 Girls Team Shines Bright, Clinches Multiple Medals at 23rd ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships in Penang
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Kenneth “Llover Boy” Takes on “El Nica” Concepcion Aug 17 on Gerry Peñalosa’s Show @ the Winford Resort and Casino Manila (Analysis)
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Undefeated junior middleweight prospect Anthony Velazquez won’t be Boxing’s best kept secret in 2026
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Undefeated Gabriela Tellez Returns July 18 at “Night of Champions” Live on DAZN
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Dushanbe hosts stacked fight card with Bakhodur Usmonov and Christopher Mouafo headlining IBA.Pro 8
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Shakur vs Zepeda & Morrell vs Khataev Fight Analysis
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Peñalosa To Test "Lover Boy" Llover Versus Accomplished Panamanian Veteran Concepcion
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Begins Brandenburg Cup Prep Camp
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Dream Fight: “Bam” Rodriguez vs “Puma” Martinez on the Horizon
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Perez vs Vivas Headlines All Star Boxing's Prueba de Fuego Card on July 25
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Christy Martin Promotions & Ringside Ticket Inc. Present ‘Lopez Vs. Vargas’ Welterweight Battle
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Vegas Fight Experience Where Authentic Sparring Meets Cinematic Vegas Energy
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • 4 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Erik Morales Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • SALITA PROMOTIONS SIGNS FORMER WORLD CHAMPION TONY HARRISON
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • FIGHT EMPIRE! TUAZON, ADOR, DE BARBO, JOMAR, AND MORE ARE READY FOR ACTION IN BRICO SANTIG'S EXCITING SHOW JULY 12 IN THAILAND
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • Shakur Stevenson and David Morrell Face "Crossroad Fights" This Saturday in Queens
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • Christy Martin’s “Mayhem in Music City 2” to Feature Undefeated Vic Hernandez Facing Jayvon Garnett for NABA & Jr. NABF Featherweight Championships
    , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • James Perkins & Anthony Andreozzi Headlines “Oceanside Prize Fights”
    , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • GORST PURSUES GOLDEN GLORY IN JEDDAH, DEFENDING WORLD POOL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE IN SAUDI ARABIA, 21–26 JULY
    , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • Hovhannisyan and Barrientes Set for High-Stakes Showdowns July 18 on DAZN
    , Tue, 08 Jul 2025
  • UNBEATEN PROSPECT KENNETH LLOVER TO FACE FORMER TWO-DIVISION CHAMPION LUIS CONCEPCION IN MANILA
    , Mon, 07 Jul 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.