New Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines executive director Ed Picson realizes that he has a long road ahead. Barely having stepped into his new shoes, Picson has already seen the difference in the atmosphere in the sport.
?As we saw in the National Open in Bacolod, people welcome the change, and are open to possibilities now,? says Picson, a sports broadcaster and voice talent for over three decades now. ?It?s great because it?s a new start, everyone?s receptive.?
The PBA?s senior anchorman joined the new leadership of ABAP in making the rounds of the sport?s hotbeds almost two months ago, and made an impression with his understanding of all the Visayan dialects. He easily connected with most of the boxers, since he speaks their language, and they, in turn, expressed their concerns and explained their problems. This clinched the decision to give Picson the executive director spot, since there was really no short list of candidates.
?The boxers feel the support of Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan, president Ricky Vargas, and secretary-general Pato Gregorio,? Picson adds. ?And now the boxers have the confidence that they will be able to have what other boxers have abroad. It?s demoralizing when you get into the ring and you see the other boxer has better shoes and a better uniform. You?re already the underdog. Now, things are even. ?
One unspoken challenge for Picson now is to calm the political undercurrents that still play out in the sport. Although on the surface, all parties want change and have the same goal of an Olympic gold medal, some old-timers in the sport do not agree on how to get there. It?s either their way, or no way.
Right now, ABAP is setting up the regional training centers, which will serve as the pipeline between the raw talent and the national pool.
This strategy will alleviate the distractions of homesickness, and will situate the training center where the grassroots athletes are. ABAP will filter out the best 30 to 40 boxers and house them at the training centers in preparation for international competition.
?Everyone we will face also trains hard,? Picson clarified. ?All we want is for the boys to have the same chance to prepare, and get the same resources, and the same exposure. It?s a long process, but we?re starting early.?
Some organizers of international tournaments are inviting the Philippine newbies to fight, but are mum about the level of competition. ABAP does not want to risk having our rookies get beaten badly in their first outing, and will build them up gradually.
With regards to the extremely talented Dodie Boy Pe?alosa, Jr., Picson acknowledged the boy?s gifts.
?Dodie Boy Jr. is special, but we will not treat him special,? Ed emphasizes. ?We have a lot of good boxers out there. What is important is that we spot them, we train them, we send them abroad. That?s where our coaches come in.
ABAP is setting its house in order, knowing that this is not a one-round fight. A lot can happen in four years, and the more boxers we have ready, the more ammunition we will have to hit the target of gold in London.
