Partylist chooses retired boxer as its 3rd nominee

CEBU, Philippines - Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Rep. Mark Aeron Sambar said the partylist has chosen Cebuano professional boxer Z Gorres as its third nominee.

Gorres, a resident of Mandaue City, retired from boxing after getting badly injured in a fight in the United States in November 2009.

Currently, the boxer is undergoing continued therapy and has been helping conduct trainings for aspiring boxers at the ALA gym in barangay Cabangcalan.

Sambar said the partylist also wants Gorres to be the spokesperson for retired athletes and injured athletes.

Sambar said he will push for a law mandating cities to create open spaces for sports activities.

He lamented that cities today lack spaces for recreational activities, forcing athletes to train in private sports centers.

"We want cities to include in their urban planning the creation of green spaces where the youth can enjoy sports," Sambar said.

If the party-list gets reelected, Sambar said, it will push for a law granting retirement and medical benefits to professional athletes who reach the age 50.

He said athletes who are known world champions and winners in international competitions should at least get a P20,000 monthly pension from the government when they retire.

Sambar said they will propose other measures such as livelihood programs for retired professional athletes and scholarships for their children.

The partylist's platform, Sambar said, consists of programs promoting sports, health, education and livelihood for athletes.

The party-list has given scholarships to 4,000 athletes.

Sambar said it is exploring other ways to help athletes and their families, such as partnering with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and providing them seed money to start a business.  (FREEMAN)