National boxers got a huge shot in the arm as Philippine Sports Commission Chairperson Noli Eala expressed full support in their quest to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Eala bared that the agency has been in talks with the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines to ensure that the country’s top boxers will get enough training and international exposure bankrolled by the government.
“We are in full support of our national boxers all the way to Paris Olympics. We’ve already discussed the plans with ABAP President Ed Picson, as to how we can level up the support and programs for our elite athletes,” Eala said as he welcomed 2022 ASBC Asian Elite Boxing Championship gold medalist Carlo Paalam, and bronze medalists Nesthy Petecio and Hergie Bacyadan at Rizal Memorial Sports Complex on Monday.
Eala added that he will also look into the possibility of building a team composed of coaches and sports science experts similar to the crew the PSC created for Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz and Olympian pole vaulter EJ Obiena.
The sports agency chief also encouraged Paalam, Petecio and Bacyadan to remain motivated in their mission to deliver the first Olympic gold for Philippine boxing.
“Stay hungry and motivated. Your success is the country’s success,” Eala said.
The national boxing squad will return to training on 4 December after an early holiday break.
