ASIAN Boxing, represented by Ricky Vargas, chairman of the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP), signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) to enhance their collaborations in developing the sport across the region.
Vargas participated in the signing ceremony last Saturday during the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China, upon the invitation of Asian Boxing president Pichai Chunhavajira.
The OCA was represented by Director General Husain Al Musallam.
Asian Boxing now holds the responsibility for supervising boxing events in the Southeast Asian Games and the Asian Games.
“The purpose of this MOU is to preserve the future of boxing by fostering collaboration between the parties,” said Vargas, who also serves as a member of Asian Boxing’s interim Executive Board.
The agreement underscores the commitment of both Asian Boxing and OCA to the principles of the Olympic Charter.
The partnership focuses on creating a comprehensive certification program for referees, judges, and other officials to maintain the highest levels of professionalism and fairness in officiating. By improving officiating standards, this initiative seeks to promote transparency and competitiveness for athletes.
Asian Boxing, established late last year in partnership with World Boxing, aims to gain recognition from the International Olympic Committee to reinstate boxing as an Olympic sport.