Jonas’ death sparks calls to ban boxing

MANILA, Philippines - The death of a 16-year-old student-boxer has sparked urgent calls for a temporary or permanent ban on boxing in school-based competitions.

Jonas Joshua Garcia, from San Miguel, Bulacan, died almost a week after he suffered from internal hemorrhage while competing in the Central Luzon Regional Athletic Association.

The tournament served as qualifier for the 2014 Palarong Pambansa set in Sta. Cruz, Laguna in April.

Garcia had hoped to qualify for the national championships and perhaps use it as a ticket for inclusion to the national boxing team.

Once included in the national pool, young athletes start receiving monthly allowances and other perks from the Philippine Sports Commission.

But Garcia, including his parents and twin brother Ralph Raven, will never see that day.

Reports said that Garcia’s nose started to bleed in the first round but was allowed by the ring physician to continue. In the second round he complained of dizziness.

The match was called off and Garcia was taken to the hospital where he fell into a coma. He was eventually transferred to the UST Hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU).

The young boxer fought for his life but couldn’t hang on.

The Department of Education is in charge of regional tournaments for students and only seeks the help of the PSC and the different national sports associations (NSAs) for the national championships.

Upon request from the DepEd, the PSC and the NSAs lend their experts, from referees to judges and medical to technical groups, for the student-based tournament.

After Garcia fell into a coma, organizers of the regional meet decided to cancel the rest of the boxing program.

The DepEd issued a statement following the unfortunate incident.

“DepEd is deeply saddened by the loss of Jonas Joshua Garcia. We may not fully know why sad things like this happen, however, we hope that it will help for the family of Jonas to know that in this time of sorrow, their extended DepEd family cares and that our thoughts and prayers shall always be with them forever,” DepEd assistant Secretary Tonisito Umali said. 

Umali told Agence France-Press there are calls to ban the sport of boxing in youth-based tournaments.

“Requests are being made for the suspension of boxing. Other regions are also saying they will not continue boxing. We will not force them,” Umali said.

In the absence of experts, accidents are bound to happen to young athletes before, during or even after a tournament.

“Due diligence must always be exercised and all safety and precautionary measures are addressed. This is a very unfortunate incident,” Philippine Olympic Committee vice president Jose Romasanta told The STAR yesterday.

“Especially in the provinces, in the absence of the proper equipment, a lot of things can go wrong,” he added.

Richie Garcia, chairman of the PSC, aired his sentiment, saying that the government sports agency is always there to provide the expertise when asked to.

“It is in the PSC charter that in case of school sports development programs, the same shall be formulated and implemented by the DepEd. We can only assist when asked. But I highly recommend the use of qualified officials,” he said in a text message.

Garcia said banning combat sports in youth-based competitions is not the answer. He said making sure that everything is in order and in place is the solution.

Even Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao has aired his comment on the incident.

“Hindi naman sagot yung i-cancel ang boxing. Unang-una, dyan tayo kumukuha ng panglaban natin sa Olympics. Kailangan lang ng konting pag-iingat talaga (Banning boxing is not the answer. That’s where we get out bets to the Olympics),” he told ABS-CBN.

“My advice is sa trainers kailangan suriin mabuti ang bata na gusto mag-boxing. Pangalawa bago bigyan ng laban may medical siya and after that siguraduhin na well-prepared siya sa fight. Hindi puwede na training-training lang. Kailangan training talaga,” Pacquiao added.