The Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) has decided to keep Cuban coaches Enrique Steyners Tissert and Dagoberto Rojas Scott for the national team until its newly-elected officers have mapped out programs for 2009.
“We?re still in the process of discussing all possibilities, so there will be no coaching changes. The Cuban coaches will remain,” ABAP secretary-general Patrick Gregorio said.
Gregorio, who replaced Roger Fortaleza, formally assumed his post yesterday along with president Ricky Vargas and chairman Manny V. Pangilinan. Vargas took over the reins of Manny Lopez, while Pangilinan replaced Gov. Raul Daza of Region 8.
Lopez, however, will still serve the association as vice president.
Gregorio said discussions and plans will have to be made in the coming months before they make decisions in strengthening this year?s boxing program.
He added they are not ruling out the possibility of looking for European coaches to replace the Cubans after more European fighters stood out in the 2008 Beijing Olympics than the Cuban pugs.
The Cuban coaches are receiving $ 3,000 monthly stipend courtesy of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) under chairman William “Butch” Ramirez.
“We are not discounting anything until the new leadership and all stakeholders have decided,” Gregorio said.
ABAP officials and stakeholders will have a conference during the National Amateur Boxing Championships on Jan. 17 to 24 in Bacolod City.
The tournament, which aims to discover rising talents for the RP developmental pool and the national team, will have boxing icon Manny Pacquiao as one of its guests of honor.
So far, the new leaders of ABAP have already looked at bolstering the grassroots development program through providing regional training centers across the country in the future.
They also aim to host a nationwide boxing league to lure more young fighters in taking up the sport and trying out for the national team.
“These are just our initial plans,” Gregorio said. “We will work hand in hand with boxing leaders and sponsors to ensure unity.”
