Puerto Princesa primes up for slugfest

MANILA, Philippines - Puerto Princesa City, fast emerging as the tourism and sports capital of the country, will leave no stone unturned to ensure its successful hosting of the National Youth Amateur Boxing Championship on Jan. 25 to 29.

No less than Mayor Edward Hagedorn made the assurance during yesterday’s official press conference at the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines headquarters at the Rizal Memorial Sports Center.

“We are working hard on preparations, with all the time and effort my people are putting into this,” said Hagedorn, also thrilled with what the province of Palawan can offer to the participants.

Hagedorn has allocated P3 million for the board and lodging and meals of the close to 250 participants aged 11 to 18 years, but said his city is willing to throw in a little more if and when the need arises.

“With the growing number of participants, I’m sure P3 million won’t be enough. But we have a fresh budget and it won’t be a problem,” said Hagedorn, who has tranformed his city into the country’s cleanest and greenest.

Joining the long-time mayor of Puerto Princesa in the presscon where ABAP president Ricky Vargas, secretary-general Pato Gregorio and executive director Ed Picson.

Vargas, also the senior vice president of telecommunications giant PLDT, said the tournament is the culmination of a series of regional championships last year, all aimed at producing the youngest and finest amateurs.

“We have also invited the other boxers whom we believe have the potential. This is going to be the best of the best, and that’s also the reason we landed with the best (host) in Puerto Princesa,” said Vargas.

He said there were other offers as host but organizers felt it best to stage it in Puerto Princesa, vying for inclusion to the distinguished Seven Wonders of Nature list (from among 28 finalists), for its famous underground rivers.   – Abac Cordero