Vargas named to Asian body

MANILA, Philippines — ABAP chairman Ricky Vargas was recently named to join a high-powered Board of the interim Asian Boxing that is affiliated with World Boxing, the international federation seeking to gain IOC recognition for the purpose of retaining the sport in the Olympics.  The Board held its inaugural meeting via zoom yesterday afternoon with hopes of boosting World Boxing’s bid for IOC accreditation.  Asian Boxing’s slogan is “One Spirit, One Goal, Olympic Boxing Glory.”

The Board members are interim president Pichai Chunhavajira of Thailand, Jung Aehyun of Korea, Ali Takleef Shaheed of Iraq, Tatsuya Nakama of Japan, Darkhan Kyzaibayev of Kazakhstan, Tllanoev Shohid of Uzbekistan, Balanmunkh Maidar of Mongolia, Ajay Singh of India and Vargas.

“So happy to note we end the year in unity as Asian Boxing aligns with World Boxing in its quest to transform the sport for the boxer with utmost integrity, transparency and excellence,” said Vargas, the only Asian in the World Boxing Executive Board.  “Uniquely, Asia is our culture that binds us together in friendship.”

Vargas said Asian Boxing’s affiliation brings World Boxing closer to achieving its goal of IOC recognition.  “Much closer,” he noted.  “ASBC (Asian Boxing Confederation) continues and will elect new officers but eventually, they will dissolve as most of their members are now moving to Asian Boxing.  Thanks to my dear colleagues for making me part of the interim Executive Board of Asian Boxing.  I serve with humility.  Looking forward to working with the Board and thanks to Khun Pichai for accepting to be our leader.”  Pichai resigned as ASBC president to head Asian Boxing.

World Boxing is led by president Boris van der Vorst of the Netherlands and held its first Congress in Frankfurt last year.  The discredited International Boxing Association used to conduct Olympic competitions but IOC took over supervision in Tokyo and Paris.  IOC said starting in 2028, it will no longer supervise boxing and opened the door for a new international federation to take over.  Early this month, World Boxing announced a membership of 60 countries with the acceptance of the applications of Cambodia, Dominican Republic, Jordan, Myanmar and Palestine.