MITRA WANTS OPBF TO BE MORE PARTICIPATIVE AND TRANSPARENT

(Top photo) OPBF president Baham Mitra (extreme right) awarded a plaque of appreciation to international promoter/matchmaker Brico Santig of Highland Boxing Promotions. With them were (from left) GAB Commissioners Ed Trinidad and Mar Masanguid. (Below) Japanese promoter/manager Ryuta Kato (2nd from left) also received a plaque of appreciation during the boxing event of the 55th OPBF Convention held Nov. 10 at the Puerto Princesa City Coliseum. (Photo by LITO DELOS REYES)

CURRENT Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) President Abraham Kahlil “Baham” Mitra wants the “OPBF to be more participative and transparent.”
This was Mitra’s message during the Gala Dinner and Awards held at the HarBallroom of the Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa in Puerto Princesa City last Nov. 9.
“I want to encourage each and every member to share with us their ideas and join us in promoting the organization and its activities,” said Mitra, a former elected governor of Palawan Province.
“I want us to work together towards a common goal, that is, the development and promotion of boxing in the entire region and the whole world,” said Mitra.
Mitra is positive with the active participation of the more than 150 participants in the on-going OPBF annual convention until Nov. 12.
The OPBF was formed in 1954 by the Japanese, Korean, and Filipino boxing commissions. It was originally named the Orient Boxing Federation, but changed to the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation when the Australian National Boxing Federation joined in 1997.
The members of the OPBF regional group are Australia, Fiji, Guam, Hawaii, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, New Zealand, PAMA, Philippines, Samoa, Taiwan, Thailand, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia,Tonga and Malaysia.
The OPBF helped form the World Boxing Council in 1963 and is currently affiliated with that organization. (LITO DELOS REYES)