By Carlos Costa
It is very possible that the third annual WBC Annual Women's Convention, as well as the Conventions of other regional WBC bodies could be held altogether in Manila, Philippines.
That is the plan of GAB Chairman Abraham "Baham" Mitra who was in Kiev, Capital of Ukraine, leading the Filipino delegation at the 56th World Boxing Council (WBC) Annual Convention.
Mitra is interested in bringing to the Philippines the annual conventions of four federations of the WBC: the WBC Women's, the Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF), the WBC Muay Thai, plus the WBC Asian Boxing Council, all four conventions at the same time.
Normally, the conventions of the federations -- which are part of the WBC -- are held separately in different cites on different dates. Mitra's efforts aims at getting all four conventions on the same date in the same city, Manila, the Capital City of the Philippines.
Its an ambitious good plan. But if it materializes, the event would be a unique, well-attended WBC four-in-one convention that would make the Philippines the center of attention for the whole of Asia.
Furthermore, the dream plan already has the support and approval of the WBC Board of Governors and the WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman, who likes the idea, requesting the audience in Kiev for a round of applause for Chairman Mitra and the Filipino delegation.
"We are still finishing details," shared Mitra.
"But I hope that the plan pushes through. Availability of venues are very tight. Also, a letter from the office of the President says PICC should be a priority, plus, December is a very busy month. So I am working on it, while crossing my fingers," said Mitra, 48, a former Provincial Governor and Filipino Congressman.
He added: "if the plan marches forward, it would be a great honor for the Philippines, and for the Philippines' Games and Amusements Board (GAB) to once again welcome the World Boxing Council (WBC) to our beloved country.
"Importantly, the convention could benefit our Filipino boxers and contribute to our Filipino boxing community to achieve further accomplishments," said Mitra, who last year led the Philippines Games and Amusement Board (GAB) to win the prestigious WBC Commission of the Year Award, an award handed to him at last year's WBC Convention.
In last year's WBC convention, GAB captured the award for the Philippines, besting other 151 member countries.
"Shall our plan succeed, there would be a WBC Asia Awards Night as well as the OPBF annual meeting. Also, Medical Lectures, Seminars for Ring Officials, boxing clinics by field's experts, plus Gala Dinners, Corregidor Tours. In addition, our orphanages would receive contributions by the organization WBC Cares, and more."
The author Carlos Costa is Panama-born Boxingscene.com Fight Reporter based in Cebu, Philippines. Carlos can be reached by email: Carlos512@hotmail.com and Whatsapp: +639184538152.
