Broadcaster ABAP executive director

The Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines named television and radio sports broadcaster Ed Picson as its first executive director to handle the day-to-day affairs of the group.

“Mr. Picson will manage and implement the day-to-day operations and programs of the organization and will work in tandem with me,” said ABAP secretary-general Patrick Gregorio in a statement.

Picson has been in the media business for decades now, working as a radio and TV sportscaster for basketball and boxing, among others.

Picson, also a sports columnist, has been an avid supporter of boxing, particularly in the amateur side where he helps discover talents.

Meanwhile, ABAP, chaired by PLDT and Smart chief Manny V. Pangilinan, will hold a regional tournament starting with the Visayas leg on March 22-28 as part of its comprehensive talent search.

The Luzon leg will be held next on April 14-19, followed by the Mindanao leg on May 10-16 and the Southern Tagalog edition on June 5-10.

Panabo, Davao del Norte will host the Mindanao leg.

Gregorio said they expect to discover talents from these events who could be trained and developed into future national boxers.

“ABAP’s focus is strengthening its grassroots program and we hope to come up with young boxers who could help us win our first Olympic gold in London,” said Gregorio.

ABAP, in fact, will send a team to the World Juniors Championship set May 22-31 in Armenia.