HARRY ANGPING

The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) will continue to support the programs of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) despite the RP team’s disappointing campaign in the world championships in Milan, Italy.

However, PSC chairman Harry Angping said the association needs to come up with a stronger talent identification program instead of relying mostly on its veteran fighters.

“We remain optimistic that boxing is one of the sports where we have a best chance of getting more medals in the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games and hopefully, the Olympics,” Angping said yesterday.

“But boxing has to come up with a real, honest-to-goodness search and identification program and should start veering away from the notion that re-hashed athletes still have what it takes to win medals.”

Angping added they will have to sit down with ABAP officials to discuss their programs and reassess their strategies in preparation for upcoming elite tournaments like the Laos SEAG in December, the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China next year and the London Olympics in 2012.

Angping said the PSC has long supported the ABAP, adding that “we have been infusing a large chunk of government financial support to boxing” believing that it has a big chance in winning the country’s first Olympic gold medal.

PSC records show disbursements of P8.4 million for the boxing association since January this year for athletes’ allowances, local and foreign coaches from Cuba, foreign exposures, supplies and equipment, and meals and catering for its athletes billeted at the Baguio training camp.

This also includes the P3.5 million financial assistance for different foreign exposures.

The PSC has also renovated the association’s women’s quarters in Baguio and the boxing gym at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

“We would like to stress that we have been doing more than our fair share for the development of boxing in the Philippines,” Angping said.

The five-man RP squad, composed of Joan Tipon, Harry Tanamor and Charly Suarez, Joegin Ladon and Genebert Basadre were eliminated in the first and second rounds.