RP seeks to expand sports ties with Cuba

The Philippines is renewing its ties with Cuba on an exchange program on boxing and is also looking forward to expand the accord to two other sports.

PSC chair Eric Buhain was in Havana recently to renew the sports exchange program between the two nations. He was invited by Ambassador Ramon Alonso Medina.

Buhain stressed he would like to expand the accord to other sports, initially in volleyball and baseball.

"Here is an opportunity which we would not like to miss since we all know about Cuba’s achievements in sports, not only in boxing but also in about a dozen other sports," said Buhain.

The Cubans are powerhouse in baseball and volleyball, having been world champions on several occasions and contenders practically in every major competition they take part in.

Under the previous arrangement in boxing, Cuba sent a coach to the country in Raul Liranza. His achievement was helping boxer Onyok Velasco to the finals of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

Filipino boxers are also regulars in Cuba for their training and preparation.

Buhain forged the deal with Humberto Rodriguez Gonzales, president of the National Institute of Cuban Physical Education and Recreation and Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque.

Primarily, the arrangement would be to strengthen sports exchange between Cuba and the Philippines," said Buhain.