ABAP not keen on hiring foreign coaches for boxing team

The Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) is not inclined to hire foreign coaches to whip the national boxers into shape for major tournaments in 2010 such as the Asian Games in China. ABAP president Ricky Vargas announced that local coaches will be tasked to prepare the national boxers, having proven their worth with the delegation's impressive showing in the recent 25th Laos Southeast Asian Games in Vientiane, Laos. “We believe in the talent of the Filipino coaches and what we plan to do is to send our coaches abroad or bring top foreign coaches here for seminars. We will not bring in foreign coaches but we will make sure you will be equipped with everything you need," Vargas said during the Christmas party and awarding of incentives Sunday.

The decision to do away with foreign mentors, according to ABAP executive director Ed Picson, is meant to give the local coaches the opportunity to handle the team in big tournaments. “Sa nakita ko, napapahirapan ang mga boxers natin dahil hindi nagkakaintindihan dahil sa language barriers. Naipakita na rin ng mga local coaches natin na kaya nilang hawakan ang team sa nangyari sa Laos kaya dapat na ipagpatuloy na natin ito sa Asian Games. Hindi naman natin sinasabi na talagang sarado na tayo sa pagkuha ng foreign coach pero ito ang rutang kukunin natin sa Asian Games," explained Picson. ABAP used to tap the services of coaches from amateur boxing powerhouse Cuba but still, the boxers failed to make waves in international meets. Under Filipino coaches in the Laos joust, though, the RP pugs won five gold, one silver and three bronze medals. Bigger challenge ahead Vargas challenged the boxers to use the Laos accomplishment as momentum to do better in the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China in November, and eventually meet their long-term goal in the 2012 Olympics. “Tough challenges lie ahead of us because our ultimate goal is to win the gold in the London Olympics in 2012. This year was a learning year but next year will be a training year," Vargas said. He promised to send the boxers to international tournaments in 2010 to ensure that they will be fit and ready for the Asiad and other major tournaments. “We look forward to a good 2010 as we also seek to move forward to 2011 for the Olympic-qualifying tournaments and a possible gold in the 2012 London Games," stressed Vargas. The ABAP leadership, through corporate sponsor Smart, released close to P3 million as incentives to the SEAG achievers. Receiving the biggest windfall of P300,000 each were Bill Vicera, Charly Suarez, Josie Gabuco, Alice Kate Aparri and Annie Albania, who accounted for the five mints the team brought home from Laos. Two-time Olympian Harry Tañamor bagged P200,000 for his silver medal finish while Joegin Ladon, Rey Saludar and Mitchel Martinez took home P100,000 each for the bronze medal won. The members of the coaching staff Pat Gaspi, Nolito Velasco, Roel Velasco, Glicerio Catolico and Ronald Chavez also received P50,000 incentives while ABAP judge Tito Dacuma, who was adjudged as the best official in Laos, also received incentive just like boxer Joan Tipon and the rest of the members of the ABAP pool. “The incentives you got are just a teaser because they will be bigger next year in the Asian Games. Every gold medals won will be worth P3 million. So any of you who wins the gold medal in China will receive P5 million in all, including the PSC’s pledge of P2 million. So I hope this will further inspire you to stay focused and work hard in your practices," said ABAP secretary-general Patrick Gregorio. - GMANews.TV