The 2009 Smart-ABAP Mindanao Area Boxing Tournament blasts off May 30 to June 6 in Panabo City, Davao del Norte, with at least 400 amateur fighters participating.
Coming on the heels of the Visayas leg (Ormoc and Kananga in Leyte) of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines? nationwide talent search program, the Mindanao phase will involve clubs representing Regions 9-13 plus the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Rep. Antonio Lagdameo (2nd district/Davao del Norte) will host the Mindanao jaunt which is part of ABAP?s overall effort in its grand design to land the country?s first gold medal in the 2012 London Olympics under chairman Manny V. Pangilinan and president Ricky Vargas.
?I?m proud and honored to continue the successful boxing program of my predecessor (former Rep. TonyBoy Floirendo),? said Lagdameo.
?Boxing is a sport which instills discipline, dedication and perseverance, values which are sorely needed in developing our country?s youth,? he added. ?Mindanao is rich in natural resources, including amateur boxers, and this tournament will surely serve as a fitting venue to showcase their talents.?
Ed Picson, ABAP executive director, welcomes Davao del Norte?s involvement.
“ABAP looks forward to working with Cong. Lagdameo and former PSC chairman Butch Ramirez (ABAP vice chairman and Region XI ABAP president),? Picson said.
?We know that there are many talents waiting to be discovered there. With the energetic secretariat led by Ms. Generose Tecson, we expect a massive turnout from which we expect to select the best boxers.?
