THE third Philippine Professional Sports Summit organized by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) on Sept. 29 will focus on the new normal in sports amid the pandemic.

The sports summit — the third under the leadership of GAB Chairman Abraham “Bahan” Mitra — is aimed at finding the new and future directions of professional sports with the country coping with the worlwide health crisis.

“Ang GAB ay marami ng nagawa at naisakatuparan para sa sa ating mga atleta sa professional sports. Subalit madami pa tayong kailangang gawin lalo ngayon sa panahon ng pandemic,” said Mitra during the 120th edition of “Usapang Sports on Air” by the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports (TOPS).

“Para sa ating lahat itong pro sports summit,” added Mitra during the werkly public service program spponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and GAB.

Mitra said the summit theme is “Professional Sports through the Pandemic, the Now and Future Directions”.

A three-time lawmaker from Palawan, Mitra said they have invited select stakeholders in professional sports who can share their first-hand experiences, struggles and challenges of holding sports events during the pandemic.

Guests of honor during the summit are Sen. Bong Go, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, Sen. Pia Cayetano, Sen. Joel Villanueva, Sen. Sonny Angara and Cong. Jericho Nograles.

Department of Health Assistant Secretary and Infectious Disease specialist Dr. Eric Tayag will also grace the summit.

The summit will also showcase different sports leagues like the PBA (Eric Castro), 3×3 Chooks-to-Go (Mark Zambrano), NBL/WNBL (Rhose Montreal), Vismin Super Cup (Chino Trinidad), PVL (Ricky Palou), PCAP (Atty. Paul Elauria), PGTI (Mohamed Shariz), PFL (Atty. Edwin Gastanes), and Ironman Triathlon (Wilfred Uytengsu).

They will share their experiences and challenges in promoting sports during this time.

Philippine Boxing Promoters and Managers Association president Dante Almario and boxing promoters JC Mananquil and Charlemagne Marban III will discuss pro boxing.

They will be joined by Alberto “Brembot” Dulalas, president of Mindanao Professional Boxing Officials Association

Atty. Danrex Tapdasan, president of Association of Philippine Professional Boxing Ring Officials (APPBRO), and boxing judges Nicholas Banal (Visayas) and Romulo Marlou J. Neri (Mindanao).

Also invited to join are Marlon Marcelo, Nico Kenji Nazario and Jonmar Villaluna (esports), Jose Rodolfo L. Prado, Juan Feliciano Cuevas and Antonio Alcasid Jr (horseracing), Mark Sangiao of Team Lakay and Francis Amandy (MMA).

Mitra initiated the first pro sports summit at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City on September 2019.

Among those present durIng the first pro sports summit were Sens. Christopher “Bong” Go and Sonny Angara, billiards legends Efren “Bata” Reyes and Francisco “Django” Bustamante and former boxing champion Gerry Peñalosa.

Last year, GAB staged the second pro sports summit via Zoom in December.