THE Amateur Boxing Alliances of the Philippines (Abap) will be putting up a training center here in Cebu City.

With the popularity of the sport slowly picking up with the bi-monthly Cebu Amateur Boxing Revival (CABR), Abap decided to focus its attention to Cebuano boxers.

“Abap secretary general Ed Picson asked me to look for a place where we can build a training center here in Cebu City. He is going to seek funding from the MVP Foundation for the construction of a modest training center that will provide our young boxers a place where they can be trained. I already relayed this to Cebu City Sports Commission Chairman Ed Hayco and he is very much willing to help find a place where we can build this facility,” Abap-7 Regional Director Lorenzo Sy said.

According to Sy, Hayco first offered him a space at the South Road Properties, but he declined since it is not accessible to most boxers.

Instead, Sy is eyeing a space at the Children’s Park in Pasil, which is more and could attract kids in the area.

“The training center will have good facilities and a living quarters for boxers who will train for upcoming events. The Philippine Sports Commission is also willing to invest in equipment as well as provide coaches and trainers for the kids,” said Sy.

Abap’s commitment was cemented during Picson’s latest visit in Cebu to witness the progress of the amateur boxing program here.

Picson initially donated brand new boxing equipment to be used for the CABR tournaments. (RCM)