Something great happened to Philippine boxing last week, but the good news was hardly heard or noticed here at home.
The Games and Amusements Board (GAB), under the Office of the President of the Philippines, has been awarded with the Commission of the Year 2017 Trophy during the 55th World Boxing Council Convention in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The GAB was recognized by the WBC for its program of providing medical assistance to Filipino boxers, in cooperation with the Department of Health (DOH).
GAB Chair Abraham Mitra had to personally relay the happy news.
“This is a recognition of all the Board’s hard work and dedication to improving boxing in the Philippines,” Mitra stated from Azerbaijan.
The WBC is the oldest and most prestigious, boxing organization in the world with many countries-commissions as members, Mitra noted.
“It is a great, great honor for GAB and the Philippines to receive this citation and award,” Mitra said.
He added: “I think it’s the innovations we have instituted thru transparency, participation and dedication plus, of course, love for boxing that was recognized.”
In an earlier executive meeting with the WBC board of governors, the GAB-DOH medical licensing assistance program was well applauded after it was presented by Mitra.
Mitra said WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has asked for a copy of the memorandum of agreement, including the internal rules, and urged other more developed countries to follow the Philippine example.
Among those who witnessed the awarding rites were Sulaiman, top Filipino promoters Johnny and Liza Elorde, members of the WBC supreme council, managers and promoters from all over the world.
Also present were the immediate past Chair of the GAB and his underachieving chief of the GAB Boxing Division.
Curiously absent was Fritz Gaston, the boxing division chief who was recently replaced by a supporter of President Duterte. It’s understood that Gaston, a certified work horse, has contributed tremendously in the fulfillment of the GAB-DOH medical assistance program.