Boxing Program Kept Boys Away From Drugs, Trouble

One world boxing champion, several world title contenders, regional champions and national titleholders.
They were products of a grassroots boxing program which I started when I was Governor of North Cotabato from 1998 to 2007.
With the help of a Cuban coach, Honorato Espinosa, who was recruited when I and my friend, Recah Trinidad, went to Havana Cuba in 2004, the Province of North Cotabato dominated the amateur boxing competitions for many years.
I built a gym in my farm where scrawny kids were turned into athletes.
Most of them stayed in the farm and went to school in the nearby Paco Elementary and High School with some of them proceeding to take college degrees after boxing.
Some of the young boxers proceeded to turn professional with one of them, Edrin Dapudong, becoming North Cotabato’s first world boxing champion with a sensational knockout win in Johannesburg, South Africa.
One of them became a teacher, others Army Soldiers, Security Guards, workers and farmers while several others are working overseas.
Yesterday, a day before the end of 2024, over 30 of the gathered in the farm where they spent many years of their youth for a reunion.
They brought their own food while I raffled out Christmas goods in baskets.
Like long lost brothers, they recounted the days of their stay in the farm.
It was a joyful scene for me who acted as their foster father and I felt a sense of fulfillment knowing that with a simple sports program, I was able to keep the boys away from trouble and drugs.

#BraveheartBoxingClub!