THE Games and Amusements Board (GAB) once again won the prestigious Commission of Year award in the ongoing 59th Convention of the World Boxing Council (WBC) being held in Mexico City, with over 161 participating countries.

“This recognition is a fitting farewell and lasting legacy of President Rodrigo Duterte and the current Board,” said GAB Chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra as he highligted the collective efforts of the whole GAB family during his speech.

Mitra also thanked the WBC for recognizing the innovative and responsive efforts of GAB by hailing GAB for the second time the WBC Commission of the Year, 2017 and 2021.

The coveted recognition was given after GAB Chairman Mitra impressed the attendees of the convention by showcasing what GAB did during the pandemic namely, financial assistance through the DSWD-GAB partnership, renewal of free medical check-ups and laboratory examinations for licensing, WBC financial assistance to former champions, assistance in drafting of safety protocols to restart professional sports in the Philippines, among others.

But the main reason of the award was because of the portable infrared CT- scan machines procured by GAB two months ago.

Many countries were impressed and surprised that there is such a machine and lauded GAB’s efforts for injury prevention and the additional safety.

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman praised GAB and the efforts of Chairman Mitra to keep Philippine boxing and professional sports afloat amid the pandemic.

According to Sulaiman, this new initiative of GAB to get brain scanners ahead of everyone is a trail blazing move and first in the history of world boxing.

Meanwhile, Dr. Paul Wallace, WBC and California State Athletic Commission Medical Head, said during the medical committee meeting that the Philippines, through GAB, is “ahead of the game.”

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