GAB Summit a big hit

The second Philippine Professional Sports Summit, hosted by the Games and Amusements Board all day Saturday, proved a resounding success. Several of the country’s greatest athletes and top sports officials graced the virtual gathering, with a total of over 200 speakers, guests and media members in attendance from within and outside the country. There was a wealth of knowledge shared from over a dozen disciplines on the rapidly-expanding list under the agency’s umbrella.

In the morning session, GAB officials discussed the latest on requirements for holding pro sports events in a bubble (which isn’t yet allowed in Metro Manila), and the new Special Guest License which allows collegiate athletes to participate in professional events without losing their status. Guest experts also elaborated on restarting racing, combat sports and boxing events. Dr. Sheryll Casuga discussed the importance of sports psychology in a talk delivered from the US. Other issues, like gender equality and female leaders in pro sports were also taken up in the confab. The morning was capped with the PBA’s best practices and new boxing safety protocols under the pandemic, as well as a familiar face to long-time basketball fans.

“To anybody coming to retirement in the PBA or the NBA, what will it look like when you’re 50? Are you in a situation where your money can still work for you? I’m gonna say no,” said 1996 Best Import Sean Chambers, now Dean of Students at Fern Bacon Middle School in Sacramento, who gave sage advice on falling back on education for one’s post-athletic career. “Have a plan. Whatever you studied at you university level, start looking at opportunities in those fields.”

In the afternoon, Senators Sonny Angara (chair of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas) and Joel Villanueva, both avid sportsmen, reaffirmed their commitment to pushing legislation that strengthens sports and protects athletes. Recently reelected World Boxing Council president Mauricio Sulaiman sent a deeply personal message reiterating the WBC’s historically strong ties to the GAB and Philippine boxing in general. The country has been a member of the boxing body since its formation in 1963.

Other messages of gratitude and congratulations personally came from billiards champions Efren Reyes and Django Bustamante, former world boxing champ Gerry Peñalosa, and PBA commissioner Willie Marcial from the league’s Clark bubble. The event was capped with lively discussions and best practices in golf, football, esports and volleyball. Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) founder Atty. Paul Elauria and esports promoter Julius Mariano each explained how their respective sports have flourished under the pandemic. The GAB has been helping esports athletes travel to competitions since 2016.

Many of the speakers and reps of new professional sports said that this is the first time they have had this close a relationship with the GAB. This is a testament to the inclusive, cooperative spirit imbued the agency by Chairman Baham Mitra and its board, a spirit we hope continues as sport continues to grow in many new directions.