The Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) held its regular elections virtually Thursday and unanimously chose long-time executive director and secretary-general Ed Picson as its new president.

       Outgoing president Ricky Vargas, the chief architect of boxing’s three-medal haul in the Tokyo Olympics this year and who now assumes the ABAP chairmanship, nominated Picson, saying “I am honored to turn the baton over to Ed as my successor. He is the most qualified and deserving for the position. Ed is a principled and honest man who believes in good governance, cares very much for our boxers and is hands on. I am confident he will bring ABAP to the next level.”

       Also elected unanimously were Deputy Speaker Robbie Puno as vice president and former Congressman Raul Daza as vice chairman.

       For his part Picson, a veteran sportscaster and newspaper columnist, said “ I am humbled by the trust and confidence reposed in me. The results in the last Olympics, where Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam won silvers and Eumir Marcial got bronze, will be a tough act to follow. But our boxers, coaches and support staff assure me they are all up to the task. We vow not to let the country down.”

       As per the National Sports Association’s bylaws, the secretary-general and treasurer will be appointed by the incoming president. Picson said he will do so in their first board meeting within a week.