GAB named top commission at WBC convention

Ryan Songalia

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

GAB named top commission at WBC convention
The regulatory body for pro boxing in the Philippines is named the top commission by the Mexico-based World Boxing Council

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The Games and Amusements Board (GAB) of the Philippines was named the Commission of the Year at the 55th World Boxing Council, which occurred from October 1 to 6 in Baku, Azerbaijan. 

GAB chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra was in attendance to accept the award from the Mexico-based sanctioning body. According to a GAB release, the commission was lauded at an executive meeting with the WBC board of governors for its partnership with the Department of Health which made it possible for boxers to avail of free CT scans, MRIs, medical check-ups, and hepatitis B vaccines at public hospitals for their annual licensing procedures beginning this month. 

“President Mauricio Sulaiman of WBC has asked for a copy of the [Memorandum of Agreements] and internal rules and urged other more developed countries to follow the Philippine example,” the GAB release says.

Sulaiman tells Rappler that GAB was recognized “after an analysis of the performance of its administration and review of the historic protocol which will benefit all fighters from such an important boxing country.

“To have support from the government to have all boxers undergo medical examinations is of paramount importance and an example to the world. To have a boxers fund structured to help fighters after they retire is also a great accomplishment and the determination to protect fighters fighting abroad implementing mismatch prevention system and monitoring the activity to avoid fighters being used only as opponents in other countries.”

The former Palawan governor Mitra cites “renewed interest and attention to boxing as there is a possible big increase in licensees and of course promotions” among commission’s achievements since he took office in August of 2016. 

Mitra, who also serves as the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) president, will host the OPBF convention from November 9-12 in Palawan, with Sulaiman expecting to be in attendance.

In other awardings, Bruce McTavish, the Philippine-based referee from New Zealand, was named Referee of the Year for the third time after picking up the award in 2013 and 2015. Rappler.com

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!