"WE VOW not to let the country down," says newly elected Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (Abap) President Ed Picson said.
Sir Ed, who was elected unanimously in an online poll on November 25, 2021, bared this in a statement, citing the feats of outgoing president Ricky Vargas. The latter's term as president yielded two silver medals courtesy of Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam and a bronze from Eumir Felix Marcial in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Such an accomplishment, according to him, would be a tough act to follow. But that was a humble statement coming from a man who was also a part of Abap's Olympic success has been a long-time executive director and secretary-general of the national sports association for boxing.
However, the boxers, coaches, and support staff assured him that they were all up to the task.
Vargas, who is taking the role of Abap chairman, nominated Picson to the post, praised his successor.
“I am honored to turn the baton over to Ed as my successor. He is the most qualified and deserving for the position. Ed is a principled and honest man who believes in good governance, cares very much for our boxers, and is hands-on. I am confident he will bring Abap to the next level,” Vargas said.
I've met Sir Ed a few years back during the Mindanao open amateur boxing championships in Panabo City, Davao del Norte where then-congressman Tonyboy Floirendo, whose brainchild Barangay Una Boxing Team has produced Olympians, Asian Games, and SEA Games medalists, hosted the tournament.
Sir Ed also invited me and a few sports media colleagues to cover a tournament in Digos.
Since then, he has been a constant source for my sports stories whether in national or international competitions that Davao Region or Mindanao boxers compete in. We communicate through SMS, email, and just recently through Facebook Messenger during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
He replies to my questions and queries the soonest he can. He always makes himself available for any statements regarding our national boxers. Sir Ed, being a veteran sportscaster and columnist himself, understands that we have deadlines to beat.
With him at the helm of Abap, access to more information on the national boxers' preparations and competitions will be easier. As most boxers and coaches are from the Visayas and Mindanao, he can readily get his message across and address their needs being fluent in the Visayan dialect himself.
Congratulations, Sir Ed!