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Philippines, 17 May 2024 |
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A Boxing and Combat Sports Commission Or a Virtual Super Agency? By Teodoro Medina Reynoso PhilBoxing.com Thu, 20 May 2021  It is clear that everybody wants our boxers specifically to have more protection and their welfare assured even beyond their fighting days are over. But the question is, how best to do these. Do we need another government agency apart from the Games and Amusement Board (GAB) in order to accomplish these objectives? There is no doubt that Senator Manny Pacquiao, himself a boxer, is sincere in his desire to provide protection to our boxers and look after their welfare while they are still active and especially so after they have hang their gloves. But his proposed bill for the creation of a Boxing and Combat Sports Commission as a new government agency to take over from GAB the regulation and overseeing of the professional sports of boxing and mixed martial arts is, pardon the expression, full of holes. This is his second attempt to push for the approval of this legislative proposal and yet his colleagues at the Senate are basically asking the same questions which need to be satisfactorily answered and addressed. Primarily the need for another agency to do which the GAB has been doing or with some legislative reinforcement and tweaking can do more of. Do we need a commission? If you ask me, yes. In fact it has been long overdue. But not the type or sort that Manny has in mind which is government or public and, quizzically also covered combat sports that are entirely different from boxing, another area of contention or objection from legislators. We antedated Japan in western style professional boxing having been introduced to the sport in the early 20th century during the American era where a Filipino, Francisco Guilledo AKA Pancho Villa became the first Asian to win a world pro boxing championship. But Japan beat us in establishing a boxing commission, creating one in 1950 purposely to produce its first world boxing champion which it accomplished a few years later through Yoshio Shirai in 1952 who beat our own Dado Marino for the NBA, later known as WBA, flyweight title. Since then, JBC has nurtured and developed many more Japanese world boxing champions. Perhaps, Senator Manny and his brain trusts should study thoroughly this Japanese model which is private and self regulating and yet recognized as Japan's only authority in boxing. Thailand also has boxing commission, in fact there are many competing or rivaling commissions (due mainly to television coverage rights) which cause confusion and yet boxing is well and alive in that country to this day. Those are worth studying too. Assuming the bill passes strict scrutiny as regards the need for a separate agency, Senator Manny will need to satisfactorily address the queries about proper accounting and accountability on the disposition and use of funds for so called benefits and pensions for retiring boxers and combat fighters. For that is already in the realm of social security and insurance that would require astute financial and actuarial management expertise should the current operating concepts, standards and methods as used by agencies as SSS, GSIS and OWWA are employed. Workers, both in public and private sectors usually contribute parts of their earnings for social security, insurance and health care so that they can look forward to some gratuities upon retirement and fund assistance in case of emergencies or needs. I do not know if such is also the case with boxers with their purse or earning, many of whom even fight overseas. As I understand it, there is already a Boxing Welfare Fund under the GAB but is intended for limited medical assistance. This is perhaps what Senator Manny said is inadequate and has to be vastly improved. To streamline its use and avoid previous claims of favoritism, GAB Chairman Baham Mitra said the agency has issued a step by step guideline of how an afflicted boxer could avail of assistance from this Welfare Fund which is with the Bureau of Treasury and released through the GAB. But for the proposed commission to do vastly more in this area of looking at the fighters welfare and eventually gain the capability to provide benefits and pensions to retiring and retired fighters, it has to assume the character and functions of an SSS and OWWA combined given that many of our fighters are basically overseas contract workers Ideally, if we have to do it right especially with regards to the use of public funds, we are looking not merely at creating a regulatory commission but a super agency. However if the idea is merely for an independent government commission on boxing and combat sports that would serve also as dispenser of government subsidies or incentives, I am afraid that won't fly. The government has made it a policy to give funding assistance and incentives to athletes in amateur sports, especially those vying for and giving honors for the country in prestigious international competitions as the SEAGames, Asian Games and the Olympics. But that is because those athletes do not earn or make a living out of playing those sports and yet give honor to the country. It is entirely different case with professional athletes, some of whom earn thousands or millions in pesos and even in foreign currencies. Yes, many especially in boxing and combat sports risk their life. But so do our soldiers and policemen and now with this pandemic, our medical workers. And yet they part with parts of their earnings to merit benefits and ensure their lot when their working days are over. The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.  |
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