The Philippines’ Carlo Paalam celebrates after winning against Ireland’s Jude Gallagher in the men’s 57kg preliminaries round of 16 boxing match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the North Paris Arena, in Villepinte on July 31, 2024. (Photo by MOHD RASFAN / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines–The Philippine boxing team, which has historically been one of the country’s strongest contingents in international competitions, gets a shot in the arm with an ideal training hub, where national boxers can prepare for major tournaments.
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On Thursday, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), with the help of Senator Miguel Zubiri and the local government of Bukidnon, will transform the newly built Bukidnon Sports and Cultural Complex into a breeding ground for world-class Filipino boxing talent.
“I’m very happy to be here. Thumbs up to the development of your province and city—such beautiful facilities. I’ve seen many training centers around the world, and this is truly world-class,” said PSC chief Patrick “Pato” Gregorio during his visit to the sprawling 13-hectare complex in Malaybalay, Bukidnon.
The facility, which features a 15,000-seat stadium, an eight-lane track and field oval, a football field, and an aquatics center with an Olympic-size swimming pool and diving pool.
Among the key amenities is a 3,000-seat gymnasium designed for basketball, badminton, and martial arts, along with four tennis courts, an open field for outdoor events, an auditorium for cultural performances, and a museum. Bukidnon’s football field is also set to have an artificial pitch soon.
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“We are one Bukidnon, so rest assured you’ll have our full support. We’re proud to host the boxing team,” said Zubiri.
He added that the track and field oval will soon be opened to the public, mirroring PSC’s initiative at Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila and Philsports in Pasig City, where citizens can use the facilities free of charge.
“The PSC’s role goes beyond supporting national athletes. If we work harder and collaborate with LGUs, we can develop regional training centers,” said Gregorio, referring to a directive from the Office of the President to establish national and regional hubs outside Metro Manila.
“We mapped out all potential training centers nationwide and presented them to the President. We aim to develop these within 12 to 18 months. Why are we doing this? In Zamboanga, for example, there are 300 young weightlifters—it’s their focus sport, and they’re winning in international competitions,” he said.
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“We promised the President that we would develop regional training centers, provided we receive support from the government and LGUs, with each LGU adopting a specific sport they wish to promote,” Gregorio added.
Also present was national boxing coach Elmer Pamisa, who trains at least 60 boxers in the boxing hotbed of Cagayan de Oro. The Muay Thai and sepak takraw national teams have likewise expressed interest to join the national boxers in Bukidnon.
“Boxing is perfect for a region like Bukidnon. Many boxers hail from Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon, General Santos City, and even Davao,” said Gregorio.
“One of our coaches, Mario Fernandez—a two-time SEA Games gold medalist—is from Malaybalay. Ironically, Mario is currently based in Baguio, training 13- to 15-year-old boxers from Bukidnon. Clearly, there’s something off with that setup,” he noted.
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Pamisa, a two-time Southeast Asian Games silver medalist and the discoverer of Tokyo Olympics silver medalist and Talakag, Bukidnon native Carlo Paalam, expressed optimism about the PSC’s initiative and Bukidnon’s commitment to housing national boxers in a world-class facility.
