Exec director eyed to run ABAP affairs

The new group set to take over amateur boxing reins is looking at the possibility of tapping an executive director to handle the day-to-day affairs and technical work of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines.

“That’s an option. For sure, it will be among the topics we’ll discuss in our meeting,” said Patrick Gregorio, the incoming secretary-general and treasurer under the new ABAP leadership, headed by chair Manny V. Pangilinan and president Ricky Vargas.

Gregorio, who also heads Smart Sports, said the executive director should be someone knowledgeable of the sport and aware of the plight and the needs of the boxers and coaches.

Meanwhile, the incoming ABAP leadership is planning to convene all boxing stakeholders in a summit.

“As discussed with Mr. (Manny) Lopez and Mr. Vargas, we have to convene a national assembly during the National Boxing Championships for a planning session,” said Gregorio, referring to the national tilt set Dec. 15-21 in Bacolod City.

“We have to reach out to stakeholders and boxing enthusiasts so they can give their inputs, ideas and concerns,” he said.

The new boxing officials also stressed the need to firm up ABAP’s national programs.

“We will surely develop a national program that will attract potential sponsors,” he said.

The ABAP board elected Pangilinan and Vargas, Smart and PLDT’s big bosses, along with Lopez as vice president and lawyer Liberato Reyna of Region I as auditor, in Wednesday’s elections in Makati City.

Gregorio was also named secretary general-treasurer. – Joey Villar