Sen. Manny Pacquiao with PSC Chairman Butch Ramirez during yesterday’s presscon for the PSC-Pacquiao Amateur Boxing Cup at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila (Photo by Rey Nillama)
Sen. Manny Pacquiao is endorsing the massive repairs planned for the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex and even vowed to help seek more funds for the Philippine Sports Commission.
The eight-division champion and global sports hero had a tour of the 83-year-old RMSC including the newly established sports museum where he even posed with an image of himself in a poster of one his super fights.
“This should be up in front, so everybody can see,” said Pacquiao in Filipino, referring to the museum which was situated in a nook inside the historic eight-hectare complex behind a Philippine National Bank branch.
Along with the entire PSC board led by chair Butch Ramirez, Pacquiao strolled through the narrow street where the baseball, tennis and boxing halls were located. He also posed for picture in front of the iconic Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
“It’s obvious that there’s a lot of things to be done; we need repairs,” said Pacquiao of the RMSC.
Talks about the multibillion-peso sale of the complex fell through and the PSC has since decided to refurbish the facilities in time for the country’s hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.
Pacquiao later sat with the PSC board, joined by reigning IBF champ Jerwin Ancajas, to talk about the Pacquiao-PSC Boxing Cup that will kick off Dec. 16 in his hometown of Gen. Santos City.
He said he was hoping to discover the next wave of champion boxers from the program that would scour the provinces of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao in a hope to bolster the national team.
“[I] hope we can see the boxing heroes of the future and compete in the 2024 and 2028 Olympics,” added Pacquiao.
Joining Ramirez in the press conference were PSC Commissioners Mon Fernandez, Celia Kiram and Charles Maxey.
The program will formally start in May. The two-day event will offer cash prizes and participants will be afforded meals and transportation allowance.
“This is the way to help these kids realize their dream, this is were I started before,” said Pacquiao.