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THE SIX Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) boxers competing in the landmark Boxing for Peace and Understanding tournament next month at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium will be working directly under the supervision of the Philippine team coaches.
This was bared yesterday by Ed Picson, executive director of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP).
Picson said the MNLF boxers, who will pit ring prowess with bets from the Armed Forces of the Philippines ? Army, Navy and Air Force ? and the Philippine National Police, will be brought straight to the National Training Center for Boxing at the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) facility in Baguio City upon their arrival from Cotabato next week.
?They will get a feel of what it?s like,? said Picson. ?In effect, they will be training with the national boxers.?
Head coach Pat Gaspi and assistant Boy Velasco will oversee the MNLF boxers? training, Picson said.
The three-day friendly tournament was conceived by Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during the appointment of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao as ambassador for peace and unity a couple of months ago, an affair also attended by Philippine Sports Commission chair Harry Angping.
?With this novel concept, it is hoped amateur boxing can be an instrument to national peace,? said Picson.
Pres. Arroyo ? with Pacquiao, Angping, ABAP chairman Manny V. Pangilinan and ABAP president Ricky Vargas also in attendance ? will be the guest of honor during the formal launching of the tournament on July 8 to coincide with the inauguration of the PSC-ABAP boxing gym and offices at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
The newly-built, two-story building houses fully-airconditioned sleeping quarters downstairs and modern boxing facilities, including a brand new ring, on the second floor. /PR
