Nakiusap si Victorico Vargas na hayaan muna si Eumir Felix Marcial na tuparin ang pangako sa kanyang ama, pagsilbihan ang bansa at tuluyang abutin ang pangarap na mabigyan ang bansa ng kauna-unahang medalyang ginto sa 32nd Summer Olympic Games 2021 sa Tokyo, Japan.
Ito ang muling hiniling ng Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) president at Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) chairman kahapon sa mga tumatakaw sa pera sa kanilang astig na boksingero mula sa Zamboanga City para mag-propesyonal na.
“In the past few days, I have been getting numerous queries from media regarding our national boxer Eumir Felix Marcial and the offers he has been getting to turn professional before the Olympics,” bulalas ng opisyal.
“A fortnight ago, I issued the appeal for people to allow Marcial some peace and quiet in these times and to stop plying him with tempting monetary offers which could distract him from his preparations for the Olympics,” aniya. “Obviously, that appeal fell on deaf ears.”
“Having said that, I will again attempt to state my thoughts on the matter and this will be the last I will say about it until concrete developments arise.I spoke with Eumir Marcial in a 2-hour video conference along with ABAP secretary general(Edgar Genaro) Ed Picson and our sports psychologist Marcus Manalo over a week ago. We made it clear to him that ABAP will never stand in the way of opportunities for his personal financial stability. On the contrary, we have always been helpful in that regard for the past 9 years that he has been with us,” liyanya ni Vargas.
Ayon sa dating pangulo ng Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), “We discussed many other things and the conversation was light and cordial. We agreed that we would sit down and talk things over face -to-face as soon as the current situation clears. It was decided that with the present uncertainty in everyone’s lives, it would be foolhardy to make snap decisions that could impact long-range plans.”
“Eumir gave me his word that he will wait for such face-to-face meeting before he makes a final decision. And I know Eumir to be a man of his word. I think this is the best we can come up with at the present time and I again request everyone to refrain from speculation and making things more complicated than it already is.
In conclusion, I want to make special mention of Sen. Manny Pacquiao and thank him for being the voice of reason in all this. He has come out with the advised that Marcial think of the country first and stick to his Olympic dream. The good Senator said he can always make the jump to professional boxing after the Olympiad and he will support Marcial then”
Pinanapos ni Vargas: “As I mentioned, this will be the last I will say about this issue and I assure everyone that if and when there are any developments or decisions reached, we will let you know.” (Lito Oredo)