THE Games and Amusements Board (GAB), headed by Chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra, will continue to find ways to help professional athletes even during the pandemic.

Citing its pro-active stance that GAB is “now ahead of the game”, Mitra said the government sports agency will carry out a series of gym inspections in the coming days to assess their readiness in providing essential training for the Filipino athletes.

“It is really vital for the athletes to train hard and stay competitive, so GAB is taking the initiative by professionalizing and regulating the quality of sports gyms across the country,” said Mitra in an interview with People’s Tonight.

“GAB would like to safeguard our professional athletes from competing without proper training because of poorly maintained facilities. That’s why GAB is proposing to recognize gyms that will comply with the standards set by the agency for suitable training of athletes, particularly boxers, MMA fighters, and other contact sports competitors,” added Mitra.

GAB accreditation will be awarded to approved facilities with a certification that can be showcased to help promote their business. They will also be rated from 1-star to 5-star classifications based on the criteria to be set by GAB and its partners.

“If the Department of Tourism accredits tourism establishments, why can’t we accredit gyms? It is covered under our mandate to look after the welfare and safety of our athletes,” explained Mitra.

Earlier, Mitra said the GAB is set to meet with the World Boxing Association (WBA) on Thursday to iron out differences between the two sports bodies.

The meeting was finalized after the WBA, through president Gilberto Jesus Mendoza, apologized to the GAB for the delay in its responses the past several months.

“First of all, I would like to honestly apologize for the delay in our response. Certainly, the communications you have previously sent had not been received by our office directly and somehow were left unanswered,” said Mendoza in a letter to Mitra dated Feb. 4.

“I would like to reiterate that the WBA will always seek to keep the best relations with all those who make part of this great sport in order to benefit and strengthen our discipline. We would like to invite you to a meeting to discuss the current situation,” wrote Mendoza.

It can be recalled that GAB sent two letters to the WBA an d requested an urgent constructive dialogue to resolve issues affecting Filipino boxers.

Mitra cited the cases of boxing champions Vic Saludar, whose prize money during his WBA minimumweight title defense against Erick Rosa of the Dominican Republic was not immediately given; and Arar Andales, who lost a split decision to Thai Niyomtrong in 2019 after the referee declared “a legitimate blow as an accidental blow.”

Mitra said Saludar and Andales and their respective managers are invited to attend the zoom meeting with the WBA.