CEBU – Hall of Famer sportsman Antonio “Bidoy” L. Aldeguer had long been pushing for the regionalization of training of the Filipino pugilists, which he deemed the best and most effective way to get the country’s amateur boxing program back in the groove. Aldeguer’s insistent calls for such measure fell in deaf ears until Ricky Vargas assumed the leadership of the Amateur Boxing of the Philippines (ABAP).
In a talk with local sportscribes the other night at the Pino! fine-dining restaurant in Brgy. Lahug, Vargas said his ascension to the highest ABAP post begins with the quest for Olympic gold and the bedrock to achieve that highly ambitious gold is to regionalize the training of RP boxers.
“That is the flagship program that we will get into,” said Vargas, who has visited several boxing centers around the country to inspect the facilities and get inputs on what needs to be done to uplift the somewhat degenerative state of RP’s amateur boxing. “We’re going to put up regional centers in Mindanao and in the Visayas specially here in Cebu which is very active in boxing.”
Vargas, who once served as PBA chairman and currently the deputy governor of the Talk n Txt Tropang Texters, conceded that there are a lot of talents in the provinces that are just waiting to be tapped.
“What we all need is to develop them and give them proper training,” said Vargas.
Vargas officially assumed office on New Year’s Day and topmost of his priorities is the quest for that elusive Olympic gold. “The quest begins January 1 (2009) and that will culminate in 2012,” said Vargas, referring to the London Olympics three years from now.
Boxing would always emerge as the brightest sport that can produce medal for the country in major international competitions, but in the past three Olympics (2000 Sydney, 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing), the Philippines got zilch, prompting calls from some concerned quarters for an immediate change of the ABAP leadership and a thorough review of RP’s amateur boxing program.
Vargas revealed that at first he was reluctant to accept the job, but he eventually decided to take the challenge upon the prodding of his boss Manny V. Pangilinan and his predecessor Manny Lopez, who now serves as his vice president.
“There was a hesitation at first because it’s tough to get involved in two National Sports Associations (NSAs),” said Vargas, who is also a top executive of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP). “But the encourangement of the two Mannys – Pangilinan and Lopez – brought me to the job. They’re the main reasons why I took the challenge.”
At the moment, ABAP is bracing for the national age-group championships on January 17 to 23 in Bacolod City.
“We’re also planning to hold invitational tournaments. Instead of sending our fighters abroad, we are going to invite foreign boxers to fight here,” said Vargas.
Among other things, Vargas looks forward to the congress of boxing stakeholders and the meeting of the ABAP Board of Trustees, of which Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William “Butch” Ramirez is a member. (THE FREEMAN)
