Picson Asian boxing’s exec of the year

MANILA, Philippines - The Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines’ Ed Picson has been named Best Asian National Federation Executive Director of 2012 by the Asian Boxing Confederation (ASBC).

In a letter received by ABAP last Friday, ASBC president Gofur Rakhimov of Uzbekistan said Picson was chosen from among “several nominations who played a leading role in our common success.”

Added Rakhimov, vice president of the Olympic Council of Asia: “I have the honor to inform you that your candidature has been chosen by the ASBC Executive Committee. Moreover, it has been unanimously approved by the Executive Committee Members of ASBC. We are proud to have such a devoted and successful National  Federation  executive  director like you in Asia.”

A separate communication from Aziz Kozhambetov, ASBC executive director, said: “Frankly speaking, 99 percent of the votes of all the ASBC EC members were yours.”

ABAP president Ricky Vargas and secretary-general Patrick Gregorio lauded ASBC’s choice of Picson.

“The award is proof and testament that ABAP already enjoys solid relations with our Asian counterparts,” said Vargas, president of Maynilad Water and recently appointed ASBC honorary vice president.

“Ed truly is deserving of this award for his hard work and dedication in the overall effort to uplift Philippine boxing,” said Gregorio.

Picson, who was unaware of the ASBC nomination, said the instructions handed down by Vargas and ABAP chairman Manny V. Pangilinan were explicit.

“I just followed the directions set by MVP and VPV,” Picson emailed from the States where he is with his family. “Mr. Gregorio and I have also been working hand-in-hand in all ABAP activities.”

Picson will be feted during the staging of the ASBC Asian Confederation Youth Boxing Championships in Subic this  March.