GAB chairman Baham Mitra and boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard.
GAB represents PH in IBF convention
THE Games and Amusements Board (GAB) represented the Philippines in the 37th International Boxing Federation Convention last May 24-28 in Longbeach, California.
Recognized by the International Boxing Hall of Fame, IBF is one of the biggest boxing organizations that sanctions boxing bouts worldwide.
The Philippines was represented in the five-day convention were GAB Chairman Baham Mitra and newly-appointed GAB Commissioner Raul Lagrisola, with the primary aim to promote the country’s professional sports, especially homegrown boxers in the Philippines.
“We would want to leave a parting legacy that will help the professional sports industry in the long run by creating strong linkages with our international partners like IBF,” Chairman Mitra expressed.
Along with GAB’s mandate to regulate professional sports and athletes, the board also directly supervises all boxing events in the Philippines, which makes the participation to the convention a must to give more perspective on how to improve the boxing standard in the country.
“It is important that we participate in such events in order to maintain good relationships within the boxing community that will benefit and provide more opportunities for our boxers,” Lagrisola said.
Adding to GAB’s efforts in delivering necessary services to Filipino professional athletes, the board has recently formalized the procurement of its own stand-by ambulance and the establishment of an emergency response team.
“Considering that some sports such as boxing and MMA expose our athletes to physical injuries, there is really a need to ensure their safety,” Lagrisola supplied.
GAB is the official governing body that regulates professional athletes, and supervises professional sports and allied activities to combat and prevent the existence and proliferation of illegal bookie joints and other forms of organized illegal gambling connected with all play-for-pay sports and amusement games.
For more information on athlete licensing, visit https://gab.gov.ph or call (+632) 8242-1156.
