Asiad haul big boost to ABAP program

GUANGZHOU – The Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines, the best-performing national sports association in the 16th Asian Games, is buckling down to work right after the Guangzhou meet.

ABAP executive director Ed Picson said they would appeal the Philippine Sports Commission’s decision cutting down financial support to nine young members of the boxing pool.

“The memo was issued when we’re already here. I don’t think it’s justified and I don’t know if PSC chairman Richie Garcia was aware of it,” said Picson.

“How can we sustain our program? How can we stop the pro ranks from raiding our pool?” Picson asked.

Despite the sad news, the Filipino boxers fought with guts and determination here, accounting for one gold, one silver and one bronze on the Phl contingent’s gold-silver-bronze haul of 3-4-9 in the Guangzhou Games.

“We need continuity in our program. Look at Rey Saludar, it took time before he hit peak form enabling him to win a gold medal here,” Picson explained.

Saludar and the others in the six-strong Phl boxing team here are mostly young finds from ABAP’s grassroots program.

ABAP officials are hopeful their achievement here fuels a run that could lead to overall championship in next year’s Southeast Asian Games and hopefully a gold-medal feat in the London Olympics in 2012.

“Thailand would still be our biggest rival in the coming SEA Games. It’s already 5-6 (five golds for the Philippines and six for Thailand) the last time (in Laos). I’m confident we’ll get the overall championship in the next SEA Games,” said ABAP secretary general Patrick Gregorio.

The Thais wound up with a gold, a silver and two bronzes in the 16th Asiad. Worapoj Petchkoom delivered the gold in the 56kg while Tassamelee Thongjan struck with the silver in women’s 57-60kg.

Host China emerged as overall champion with five golds, followed by Kazakhstan with three, India with two and the Philippines, Thailand and Uzbekistan with one each.