FILIPINO ring icon Manny Pacquiao Saturday said he is committed to help amateur boxing in the country realize its goal of winning a first-ever Olympic gold for the country after he retires from professional boxing.
He made the commitment Saturday during a press conference ushering in the ongoing 2009 Smart National Open Youth and Women’s Amateur Boxing Championship at the Business Inn Hotel.
Top boxing officials led by amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (Abap) president Ricky Vargas also confirmed plans to set up a Manny Pacquiao Boxing Academy where the country’s top promising amateur will be trained in preparation for the 2012 London Olympics with the “Pacman” himself helping out in the training of the boxers.
“I can help them as far as training is concerned by sharing with them some useful and practical tips while they prepare for tough international competitions,” Pacquiao said.
The press conference was also attended by Vargas, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William ‘Butch’ Ramirez, Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella, PSC commissioner Eric Loretizo and Negros Amateur Boxing Association (NABA) president and Games and Amusement Board (GAB) commissioner Juan Ramon “Monju” Guanzon.
Also present was former Ilocos congressman and now deputy national security adviser Luis “Chavit” Singson, Abap secretary-general Patrick Gregorio and Abap media coordinator Ed Picson, among others.
Pacquiao went on a motorcade around Bacolod City shortly after his arrival before 1 p.m. Saturday and then proceeded to the Negros Occidental Multi-Purpose Activity Center after the press conference at Business Inn to deliver his inspirational message before a jam-packed audience and over 600 boxers and officials representing more than 35 boxing clubs from various parts of the country, the biggest ever to be assembled in this annual event sponsored by Smart and PSC and hosted by the congressional field office of Cong. Puentevella and Naba.
Matches in this January 17-24 tournament aim to discover fresh young talent for the Abap national training pool.
It is open to the public for free daily starting at 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
