‘PH boxers close as can be to Rio’

(HEART ART: Art enthusiasts have until tomorrow, Friday, to appreciate and pick from works of members of the Mandaluyong Artists League, headed by maestro Rogelio Orobia, and other invited artists at the Atrium Building, Mandaluyong City Hall. Organized by the Office of the Mandaluyong City Mayor and the Kapisanan ng mga Pintor sa Pilipinas (KPP), the group show—heART (Kalayaan Sa Sining)—features various interpretations of “love and art form combined.” It’s in celebration of Art Month. Should be a great lovely show.)

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How close—or how far—are our national boxers to the Rio de Janeiro Olympics?

Sorry, this sensitive question had to be raised after the Philippine Sports Commission denied a travel request by the Philippine national boxing team to the United States for its final push to qualify fighters to the 2016 Olympic Games.

Time is running out with the major Olympic qualifying tournament scheduled in China next month.

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How close are Filipino boxers to the Olympics; where do they stand now?

“Sorry, just got home. We’re very excited with this batch of boxers aiming to get to the Olympics and win there,” said Ed Picson, executive director of the Abap (Alliance of Boxing Associations of the Philippines.

What are our chances?

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“They’re strong, talented, committed and hungry.”

Picson said they intend to field five male and one female in the China qualifying tournament.

Picson said they feel the boxers all have very good chances to qualify and eventually do well in Rio.

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“The US training is our last push for this qualifier so we’re as close as can be,” explained Picson.

How do you plan to travel and train in the US, now that the PSC has turned down your request for funding?

“I talked to Atty. Guillermo Iroy, acting executive director of the PSC, and he said they will help if we can get an endorsement from the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).”

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Would the POC be willing to help?

“The POC has declared they don’t support the US training camp.”

What do you do now?

“Atty. Iroy says we should try to convince (them) but it sounds very much like POC president Jose Cojuangco Jr. has already made up his mind.”

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So where do you source out funds?

“Our president at the Abap, Ricky Vargas, said we (should) respect the POC opinion but, in the end, we’re accountable, so we’ll do what we think is best for our boxers.”

What should be best for the boxers?

“We’re asking the MVP Sports Foundation to bankroll our trip.”

Sorry, no luck with the POC.