Abap: Where did we go wrong?

THE ASSOCIATION of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines (Abap) honestly feels it has done everything possible under the sun for its medal quest in the Rio Olympics, but explains that it fell short after falling to complicated events and forces.

“It’s unfortunate that the results we submitted were being construed as being caused by a breakdown in our program,” said Ed Picson, Abap executive director, main man behind the preparation and participation of the Philippine national boxing team in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

“We’ve had a very good program,” Picson said. “We’ve given it our best, given the team all it needed, still we lost. Ano ba ang nangyari? What went wrong?”

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Picson said he arrived from Rio de Janeiro last Saturday but was able to make a call only yesterday as, he said, he felt a total mess after the long, tiring trip home.

Picson said he was asked to return ahead of the national delegation by Abap president Ricky Vargas, who wanted him to prepare for an election of national amateur boxing association officers.

Picson said that the Abap has given and delivered more than what the boxers had wished for and needed. He said they gave everything, nothing was left out, with the boxers getting all the opportunities, the exclusive training they deserved.

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There were however things and official arrangements that fell out of place during the Games proper, he said.

“For example, we were given only a single coach for our two boxers, whereas Thailand, with five qualifiers, was allowed five coaches, one for each Thai fighter,” Picson said.

Picson said he was also unable to properly assist the Filipino boxers as he was provided a restricted official pass that prevented him from entering the Games Village.

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Picson said he was scheduled to sit down with Vargas yesterday to make a review of things.

“We may have to look back where we could’ve done better,” he said. “Honestly, I can’t see where we had been remiss. After the lengthy talent identification and selection, the team was formed and sent to the qualifying tournaments. All our boxers were at their best.”

Picson said he doesn’t believe the forthcoming election of officers would lead to a shake-up in the Abap.

“This is all too normal, this election is always scheduled after each Olympics,” Picson explained.