Bukidnon Named Official Training Hub for National Boxers

MALAYBALAY, Bukidnon — The Philippine Sports Commission’s vision of establishing a regional training center for national boxers has officially come to life.

In a landmark move, the PSC and the Provincial Government of Bukidnon signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) designating the Bukidnon Sports and Cultural Complex in Malaybalay as a premier training ground for elite Filipino boxers in Mindanao.

Boasting world-class amenities, the sprawling complex features a track and field oval, football field, Olympic-size swimming and diving pools, and a 3,000-seat indoor gymnasium for basketball, badminton, and martial arts.

It will now become the home to the Philippine National Boxing Team, the first of several national squads to train at the facility.

“I am very happy to open this facility because it is the right thing to do for Philippine sports and it all starts here in Bukidnon,” said PSC Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio during the ceremonial signing on Wednesday, joined by Bukidnon Governor Rogelio Neil Roque and Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri.

Zubiri, a proud son of Bukidnon and key proponent of the initiative, emphasized the broader vision: “Imagine if we put regional centers in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, we will attract the best of the best.”

The partnership reflects a shared commitment to decentralize athlete development and tap into regional talent.

“Hindi optimal na ang batang atleta ay aalisin mo sa kanilang tahanan para mag-train at a high level sa isang lugar na hindi nila hometown,” said Marcus Manalo, Secretary General of the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP).

“We also plan this to be training center for all levels - not just for elite but also for recreational athletes with a Sports Boxing for All program,” added Manalo.

Following the boxing team, other national sports federations are set to utilize the complex, including Pilipinas Sepak Takraw Association Inc., Karate Pilipinas Sports Federation Inc., and PhilCycling.

Present at the MOA signing are Karate Pilipinas president Ricky Lim, Pilipinas Sepak Takraw president Karen Caballero, Philippine Amateur Baseball Association deputy secretary general and former UP College of Human Kinetics Dean Francis Diaz, PSC Chief of Staff Prof. Loujaye Sonido, and a representative from PhilCycling.

Zubiri also led Gregorio on a tour of the expansive facility, which includes a 15,000-seat stadium, an eight-lane track, football field, and aquatics center.

Future proposed developments are already in the pipeline such as the construction of four tennis courts, a softball/baseball diamond, an open field for outdoor events, an auditorium for cultural performances, and a museum.

With Bukidnon now firmly on the map as a national sports hub, the PSC’s regional training center initiative marks a bold step toward inclusive, grassroots-driven athlete development. (DAS)

(L-R): Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Carlo Paalam, Swerte Partylist Congresswoman Arlyn Ayon, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Patrick Gregorio, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, Bukidnon Governor Rogelio Roque, and Malaybalay City Vice Mayor Estilito 'Litoy' Marabe. (PSC)