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The
quest for an Olympic gold medal was entrusted to the
boxers. Now, the sport’s high-ranking officials need to
dig deep into a supposed well of talent that, like its
excuses, looks like it’s running on empty.
The
Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines said it
remains optimistic about sending a bigger crew, possibly
seven fighters, to Beijing, presumably following the
logic that fielding in more names equates to a better
chance at that oh-so elusive Olympic gold medal.
 “I’m
still hoping that a minimum of four and a maximum of
seven Filipino boxers will earn Olympic slots with still
two remaining Asian qualifying meets set early next
year,” national coach Pat Gaspi said.
The
Philippines sent its best resident fighters to crack
craniums in the World Championships in Chicago, but more
didn’t seem better. With Harry Tañamor as the lone
Filipino with a medal, an amateur world champion remains
oh-so elusive.
“It was
a tough field considering that 625 best boxers from 120
countries competed in the World Championships,” Gaspi
explained, pertaining to the same Chicago tournament
that saw regional archnemesis Thailand book four boxers
to the China Olympiad.
“But
we’re not losing hope since there are still two
remaining Olympic qualifying for Asian countries early
next year,” he added.
Those
qualifiers are spread between four months, the first in
the King’s Cup set on January 24 in hostile Thailand and
the second one, a 10-day affair starting April 15 in
Kazakhstan.
If
Gaspi’s pronouncements that his team will open slots to
other boxers when the Nationals head to the remaining
qualifiers, everybody is hoping a diamond in the rough
comes up quickly.
Featherweight Orlando Tacuyan Jr., a 19-year-old
resident of Angeles City, was adjudged the best boxer in
the national championships last October, and guys like
him may have an open door right on their feet.
Still,
there’s nothing like sending a man to do a man’s job.
That’s
why the expectations on Joan Tipon and Violito Payla,
whose Asian Games championships seemed ages ago after
their Chicago fluke, will be heavier than ever, because
nobody among the Nationals have a better shot at Olympic
gold than the two. Now, if they can only get tickets to
Beijing.
“Everybody including those who will compete in the 24th
Southeast Asian Games in Thailand next month will be
given equal chance to be included in the national teams
bound for the two remaining Olympic qualifying,” Gaspi
said.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has already instructed
top sports officials to give boxing and taekwondo
priority in terms of getting financial and logistical
assistance because Olympic gold is within their reach.
In fact,
boxing is one of the Olympic sports that recently
received a hefty footing from sports patron and
communications mogul Manny V. Pangilinan. That’s to the
tune of P18 million.
“Hopefully, with the support being extended by Mr.
Pangilinan to boxing, we will be able to get the elusive
Olympic gold in Beijing,” said national coach Roel
Velasco.
Hopefully it doesn’t go to waste. |
