Cotabato City (2 February) — Emulating the success of people’s champ Manny Pacquiao in the field of boxing, Rep. Bernardo “Jun” Pi?ol is pushing for the inclusion of amateur boxing in physical education subjects in the elementary and high school nationwide.
Pi?ol said, the fame success being reaped by Pacquiao worldwide serves an inspiration to the youth to engage in sports.
“Sa ngayon kailangan natin ang inspirasyon, at alam natin ang galing ni Pacquiao sa boxing hindi lang ditto sa bansa kundi buong mundo. Noong laban ni Pacquiao at Oscar dela Hoya, tigil lahat ang mundo, wala o mababa ang crime rate,” the solon said.
While the programs are basically on agriculture, he said, he intends to push the plan because he is looking into the future that will come the athletes competing in the Olympics would come from the province of Cotabato.
Mr. Ricky Vargas, president of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines, has expressed support to the move, citing its implementation would instill discipline, sportsmanship and self-confidence among the youth aside from physical and mental development.
“I wish it to be very successful, that this kind program would become a model and if it succeeds, maybe the Congress can start talking about bringing back boxing into the education system,” Vargas said.
Vargas said, Congress scrapped boxing from the education system because it was then considered as a violent sport.
The introduction of this sport in the grassroots and elementary level, and if this is managed properly, the whole nation will see it, that yes we can bring back boxing, Vargas added. (PBC/PIA Cot City)
