GLORY came for the Philippines via weightlifting and boxing in the just concluded Tokyo Olympics.Why not include the two sports disciplines in collegiate leagues?
This was posed yesterday by the four Filipino Olympic medalists — Hidilyn Diaz, Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam, and Eumir Marcial — who said having weightlifting and boxing in the NCAA and UAAP could produce the country’s future Olympic campaigns.
“Talagang iyong sports, nag-unite tayo lahat. Sana makita po natin na iyong mga medalist natin, boxing at weightlifting,” Diaz said in the online Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum.
“Wala pong boxing at weightlifting sa UAAP and NCAA. Sana ma-consider natin na ipasok,” she added.
Marcial echoed his fellow Zamboanga native’s thoughts.
“Iyong iba kasi tulad ko, gusto ko mag-aral ng college pero hindi ako makapag-aral kasi nag-focus ako sa boxing,” Marcial said.
“Kung mayroon na sa school na boxing, may tournament kayo, nasasabay pa iyong aral tsaka boxing. Mas makaka-produce tayo ng magagaling na boksingero.”
Marcial said getting a chance to study and pursue sports will give more opportunities for boxers.
