ABAP's 'Suntok' gathers steam

MANILA, Philippines - With the support from the private sector, the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines has remained on track in its continuing search for honor and glory in the international arena.

“If only everybody who believes in our program will join hands it will be easier for our boxers to win the gold,” said ABAP executive director Ed Picson during yesterday’s PSA Forum.

The boxing executive said ABAP’s “Suntok Ginto” program, which aims to raise additional funding for the national boxers, is doing so well since it was launched last December.

Picson said so far, the most generous contributions have come from Cecilio Pedro of Lamoiyan Corporation, makers of Hapee Toothpaste, with P1 million, Maynilad with another P1 million and Meralco with P2 million.

But what has given ABAP the additional inspiration is the help coming from the masses, the ordinary people who believe that boxing provides the country’s best chance for the elusive gold in the Olympics.

Since December, special drop boxes have been put in place in the different SM Malls, and as of last count the ABAP has generated around P230,000.

 “Ninety-percent of the contributions come from the masses. Donations of P5, P10 and P20 are truly appreciated. But we would like to reach out to the rest of our countrymen, those with means,” said Picson.

There are 48 boxers in the national pool and the best of them are being primed for the Olympics, with qualifying tournaments set in Azerbaijan in September and Kazakhstan next year.

Those who will qualify in Azerbaijan may undergo extensive training for the Olympics and skip the coming SEA Games, and those who don’t will represent the country in the biennial event.

 “We will still be there in the SEA Games to win the gold. We will still put our best foot forward. The intention remains the same, to surpass our haul of five gold, one silver and three bronze medals in the last SEA Games,” said Pato Gregorio, the secretary-general of ABAP.

Gregorio said that in the recent National Championships in Cagayan de Oro, they passed the hat and from among the crowd they raised more than P5,000.

Any additional fund will be used in the training of the Filipino boxers as they prepare for the 2012 London Olympics and the 26th Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia in November.

 “We are not here to beg. What we want is your support, your cooperation. This is not just for the boxers, the associations, the sponsors. This is for the country,” added Picson.