ABAP keeping fingers crossed

The Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines (ABAP) remains committed to its goal of making it to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

ABAP secretary general Marcus Manalo told DAILY TRIBUNE that while their chairman Ricky Vargas was appointed as the chief of mission for the next Summer Games, they are committed with the goal of helping World Boxing be recognized by the International Olympic Council (IOC) as the new international federation (IF).

Still, they keeping their fingers crossed that boxing, one of the oldest sports in the Summer Games, will be retained.

“I don’t think that the appointment of Mr. Vargas as CDM will have any effect on boxing’s inclusion in LA 2028. It’s the IOC who will decide and it will be mainly based on the recognition of World Boxing as the new IF and how World Boxing will progress with its membership, structure and programs for this year,” Manalo said.

“We are positive that World Boxing will be granted provisional recognition after the first quarter this year and it will be a huge step towards boxing’s inclusion in LA 2028.”

Also appointed by the PPC as the chiefs of mission are Dr. Raul Canlas of surfing for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, modern pentathlon president Richard Gomez for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy and basketball chief Al Panlilio for the 20th Asian Games in Japan.

The Philippines has a few more years to prepare before the next Summer Games but the boxers are facing a challenge as the sport may not be included.

The final list of sports will be decided this year as weightlifting and modern pentathlon are also in limbo.

There is also the issue of the recent wildfires in Hollywood that questions the city’s readiness for the multi-sport spectacle.

Manalo is optimistic that Vargas’ inclusion will boost their morale to get better despite the Games being still a few years away.