JAKARTA, Indonesia ? The government will try to use sports as a vehicle to minimize conflict in the Mindanao.
Plans are now being finalized to hold a dual meet between boxers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)-Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), said Philippine Sports Commission chairman Harry Angping who arrived here Thursday to watch the FIBA Asia Champions Cup along with top officials of the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas.
Although the idea is not new, a similar project having been organized during the time of PSC chair Butch Ramirez when a track meet was held featuring Muslims and Christians in Midsayap, North Cotabato, boxing will be the centerpiece of this endeavor.
“It?s the idea of the President to pit our soldiers and policemen against an MILF team in a friendly boxing match. We will call it a boxing tournament for peace and understanding,” said Angping.
Angping said Manny Pacquiao will spearhead the dual meet in his capacity as the newly-appointed Ambassador for Peace and Understanding by President Gloria Arroyo.
The PSC chair flew here with Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Manny V. Pangilinan and Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) president Ricky Vargas aboard the Pangilinan?s private 14-seater jet, to give the RP basketball team moral support.
He said the project will start on May 26 when President Arroyo inaugurates the new boxing gym at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
