GAMES and Amusements Board (GAB) Chairman Abraham Kahlil “Baham” Mitra will make extra efforts to promote and expand membership of the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) in his capacity as newly named chairman of the oldest boxing organization in Asia.
Former GAB chief Juan Ramon Guanzon handed over the OPBF reigns to Mitra on Tuesday during the OPBF ratings at the GAB office in Makati City. In the Philippines, where boxing is regulated by a government agency, it is customary for the GAB chairman to also head the OPBF in a parallel capacity.
Mitra, who was appointed to the GAB post by President Rodrigo Duterte, will have his first major task as host of the OPBF 55th year convention, which is slated Nov. 9-11 in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
“It is with great pride and humility that we take over the reign of the very prestigious OPBF from a very worthy predecessor Manong Monju Guanzon,” said Mitra.
In his bid to make the 2017 OPBF convention the biggest ever in terms of participation, Mitra said member delegates from different countries will be accorded free registration and hotel accommodation.
“Contrary to the wrong notion, boxing is actually growing in Asia. Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam are opening their doors to professional boxing,” said Mitra. “We will also try to invite guests from other non-member countries in Asia to observe our organization, which is the oldest and richest in history in Asia.”
The OPBF was formed by boxing commissions from the Philippines, Korea and Japan in 1954 as Orient Boxing Federation before it was changed to its current name in 1977 when Australia joined the fold. The OPBF helped form the World Boxing Council in 1963.
Mitra is also a member of the WBC board of governors, an appointment he received during the WBC convention in December last year.
Aside from the said four countries, current members include New Zealand, Thailand, Fiji, Guam, Hawaii, India, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Mongolia, Samoa, Guam, Taiwan and Tonga.
Mitra said the he will also try to help re-activate member countries that have not been participating in recent years like Tonga, Taiwan and Guam.
Mitra also said he will make the convention worthwhile for officials with activities that will enrich their knowledge and appreciation of boxing.
The convention kit, which will also be given away for free to officials, will have a specially made OPBF Rule Book that is written in English with translations in Chinese, Japanese and Koreans.
Mitra said the OPBF, under his leadership will be more “participative and transparent,” to encourage inactive members to share more ideas in promoting the organization in their respective countries.