P3-B sports dome to rise in Davao City

MANILA, Philippines - Striving boxers, both amateur and professional, as well as young and promising golfers will soon find a new home in Sonshine Sports Management (SMS).

Former North Cotabato governor and noted boxing manager and promoter Manny Piñol yesterday said SMS is the brainchild of Pastor Apollo Quibuloy.

The founder of the “Kingdom of Jesus” religious group, Quiboloy is also working on the construction of a P3 billion dome in Davao City and expects its completion late in 2015.

Piñol said aside from hosting religious gatherings, the dome can be used to stage sporting events like basketball, volleyball and boxing.

The long-time governor said they’re planning a major sporting event for the 50,000-seat dome upon its completion but kept it under wraps.

For starters, Quiboloy named Piñol as CEO of Sonshine Sports Management, which now has a handful professional boxers under its wings.

Piñol identified the boxers as Edrin Dapudong, Lorenzo Villanueva, Rolando Magbanua, Rommel Asenjo and Roskie Cristobal.

The day the boxers signed up with SMS, the popular religious figure immedialey ordered Piñol to raise their allowances to twice as much.

“Everybody’s welcome to be part of Sonshine Sports,” said Pinol, adding that the boxers may opt to have SMS as their promoter, manager or both.

Piñol said Quiboloy’s involvement in sports will not be limited to boxing because this early, they’re also planning an extensive talent search in golf.

He said they have tapped David Ginoo Heinen, a former amateur standout in the United States, to head the golf program that aims to help the careers of young Pinoy golfers.

Heinen’s father is an American-German while his mother is Filipina. He met Quiboloy in the United States.

Piñol said Heinen will help identify five boys and five girls, and with the help of SMS will provide them with proper training, equipment, nutrition, exposure and even scholarships.

“We hope to produce world champions in boxing and more Filipinos in the PGA and LPGA,” said Pinol.