MATULOY SANA ANG TOKYO OLYMPICS – ABAP

UMAASA ang Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) na matutuloy ang Tokyo Olympics sa Hulyo ng susunod na taon.

“I’m just hoping that the Olympics will push through because this is our best chance,” wika ni ABAP president Ricky Vargas sa online version ng Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum kahapon.

Reaksiyon ito ni Vargas sa wire reports na nagsasabing mahigit sa kalahati ng mga residente sa Tokyo na bahagi ng isinagawang survey ang hindi komportable sa pagdaraos ng Olympics sa 2021.

Nais nilang maiurong pa o kanselahin ang Tokyo Olympics.

Ang Filipinas ay may dalawa nang boxers na pasok sa Olympics-  Eumir Marcial at Irish Magno, at umaa­sang marami pa ang magkuku-walipika, kabilang sina Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam, Rogen Ladon, at Ian Clark Bautista.

“When I look at our boxers, we were ready (for Tokyo 2020),” ani Vargas, na sinamahan sa forum ni ABAP secretary-general Ed Picson.

Subalit dahil sa COVID-19 pandemic, ang lahat ay nahinto, kabilang ang iba pang qualifying tournaments.

“We lost steam,” ani Vargas.

Sinabi ni Picson na nananatiling matatag ang mga Filipino boxer sa training kahit walang tiyak na iskedyul. Aniya, ang training ay kadalasang isinasagawa sa ilalim ng online supervision ng mga coach.

“But it’s not the same. Training online is not the same. We need to be able to go back to the gym and spar and box. Not only here but overseas as well,” sabi ni Vargas.

“Given the situation that is the next best thing,” dagdag ni Picson.

“It’s very sad if the Olympics will not push through at least next year. Or we wait for the next Olympics (in Paris in 2024),” wika ni Vargas.

“It’s a very tough decision. The IOC (International Olympic Committee), I’ve been reading, is having a very difficult time because of all the investment put in by the Japanese government.”

Malaki ang kumpiyansa ng ABAP chief na makukuha na ng bansa ang mailap na ginto sa Tokyo Olympics – sa pamamagitan ng boxing.

Subalit dahil sa pandemya, kahit paano, ay nag-iba ang lahat.

“Sayang (It’s a pity). We were more ready then that we are now,” dagdag ni Vargas.