The new Board of Directors of the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP), the national sports association for boxing, held its first meeting via zoom teleconference Thursday, Dec. 2, exactly one week after its elections.

Recently-elected president Ed Picson bared his first official appointments as he named University of the Philippines professor and long-time ABAP sports psychologist Marcus Manalo as secretary-general/executive director and Michael Angelo Vargas as treasurer.

Picson and Manalo separately presented their plans and programs for the Olympic cycle 2021-2024, which focused on coaches development, talent identification and ramping up of rigid and science-based training for the national boxers.

Picson said “the challenge handed over to me by [former ABAP president] Mr. Ricky Vargas is indeed daunting, but I dare say, not insurmountable,” referring to the unprecedented 3-medal haul of boxing in this year’s Tokyo Olympics.

“With the kind of support we got the last four years from the PSC, POC, MVPSF and this ABAP Board, I am confident we can do well this Olympic cycle”, Picson added.

Also present online were ABAP vice chairman former congressman Raul Daza (Region VIII), who presided (Chairman Ricky Vargas was delayed by a last-minute international teleconference but caught up later), Region I director Atty. Liberato Reyna; CAR director ex-Mayor Reinaldo Bautista; Region IV-A director Deputy Speaker Robbie Puno; Region VI Director Nonong Verdeflor; Region VII Director Lorenzo “Chao” Sy; athlete representative Josie Gabuco, referees & judges representative Ludy Ceriales, coaches representative Pat Gaspi and MVPSF representative Maita Basa-David.

Part of the meeting was the installation of immediate past chairman Manny V. Pangilinan as ABAP chairman emeritus. His nomination was unanimously approved by the board.