by Ronnie Nathanielsz
World Boxing Council president Don Jose Sulaiman will be honored by the Guinness Book of World Records as "the longest serving president of a world sports organization."
The recognition will be given following Sulaiman’s annual report at the 48th WBC Convention which is being held in the “Sol, Mar y Arena” (Sun, Sea, and Sand”) function room of The Royal Hotel, in the picturesque resort city of Cancun, Mexico.
Sulaiman succeeded the late Philippine Games and Amusements Board chairman Justiniano Montano Jr . Montano’s GAB secretary general lawyer Rudy Salud who crafted the WBC Constitution was elected the organization’s founding secretary general also in 1965.
Salud told the Inquirer that Sulaiman who was chosen WBC president on December 5, 1975 “deserved the accolade because he has done well and comparatively much better than all the other world boxing organizations.” Sulaiman served under Salud who was chairman of the Ratings Committee and has consistently paid tribute to the work of Salud on behalf of the WBC and the sport of boxing.
The book of Guinness World Records is published every year with 100 million copies printed and sold in 100 countries. It is published in 37 languages.
The convention will be opened by the highest State authority, the Governor of Quintana Roo, Felix Gonzalez Canto who is a recognized supporter of boxing and has helped promote the sport through his efforts.
Another outstanding Mexican who will be given recognition by the WBC is Engineer Carlos Slim Helu, who will receive the Humanitarian Award of the Year. The WBC said Helu will be recognized “ for all the good things he has done for so many Mexican champions who have already retired and for several dozens of new boxers that are very promising in this sport. ”
Internationally respected referee Bruce McTavish who has lived in the Philippines for some 40 years will, as he regularly does, conduct a seminar for referees at the convention.
