Vargas sees no need for PSC boxing national tilt

A NATIONAL qualifier principally sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission will just be a virtual carbon copy of the talent search program of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (Abap).

Boxing chief Ricky Vargas yesterday said a separate qualifying tournament will not be necessary since the Abap has been aggressive in searching for the best boxers in the land through regional competitions staged all over the country.

Vargas was reacting to a proposal of PSC chair Richie Garcia to launch the government agency’s own talent-discovery project “to strengthen the national boxing team.”

“I feel this would be a duplication of the functions of our NSA, but if you feel you need to do this, then so be it,” said Vargas in his letter to Garcia.

Vargas also felt hurt by Garcia’s statement that the staging of another qualifier was necessitated by favoritism among boxing coaches.

“This is a serious accusation that casts aspersions on my character and competence,” said Vargas. “There was also insinuation that a certain region is being favored by the national coaches who belong to the same area.”

Citing examples, Vargas said Mark Barriga and Charly Suarez are from Davao del Norte, Eumir Marcial is from Zamboanga, World Women’s champion Josie Gabuco is from Puerto Princesa and Rey Saludar is from South Cotabato.

Vargas also provided a rundown of the Abap’s accomplishments under his term—nine SEA Games gold medals in Laos 2009 and Indonesia 2011; a gold, silver and bronze in the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, two World Championships (Marcial and Gabuco) and a slew of medals and trophies from several other international tournaments.