ALA NA ‘YAN!
IKINALUNGKOT at puno ng panghihinayang ang nadama ni Games and Amusement Board (GAB) Chairman Abraham ‘Baham’ Mitra Mitra sa pagsasara ng ALA promotions.
Ipinapalagay na isa sa pinakamatandang boxing promotion sa bansa, ipinahayag ng pamilya Aldeguer nitong Martes ang desisyon na iitigil ang operasyon dulot na rin marahil nang matinding pagkalugi sanhi ng COVID-19 pandemic.
“The closure of ALA is sad news for the sports industry. The ALA which has been owned and managed by the Aldeguer family for 35 years will definitely be a big dent to the boxing world in the Philippines. Their group will be sorely missed. We hope that new promoters with similar dedication in the boxing industry can fill in for ALA's absence,” pahayag ni Mitra.
Kabilang ang sports, higit ang professional sector sa tinamaan ng matindi dulot nang pagtigil ng sports event sa nakalipas na limang buwan dulot ng lockdown sa metro Manila at karatig lalawigan para maabatan ang hawaan sa sakit. Naputol din ang tambalan nito sa giant network ABS-CBN.
“After 35 years, ALA BOXING (ALA Promotions and ALA Gym) would like to say farewell and thank you to our supporters from all over the world,” nakasaad sa post ng boxing organization and promotion sa kanilang social media page.
“The pandemic and the closure of our long time Broadcast Network partner ABS-CBN has affected the overall situation and future of the company,” anila.
Inihayag din ng ALA Boxing, ang dating tahanan at pinagmulan ng ilang international at world chhampion tulad nina Donnie “Ahas” Nietes at Milan Melindo na iri-release na rin nila ang lahat ng mga boksingerong hawak nila upang makahanap ang mga ito ng gagabay at tutulong sa kanila na mapalago ang kanilang boxing careers.
Kabilang sa mga naging malalaking achievements ng ALA Boxing ay ang pagbuo ng isa sa "most talented amateur teams" noong kalagitnaan ng dekada 80 at natatanging Filipino boxing promotions na nakapagdaos ng boxing events sa Dubai at US.
“ALA Boxing would not be where it is today without the tremendous support of the boxers, trainers, office staff, fans, the media, the boxing organizations, and our sponsors all these years,”ayon pa sa may-ari ng kompanya-ang mag-amang Tony at Michael Aldeguer.
Itinatag sa Cebu noong 1985, nagpasalamat din sila sa lahat ng mga sumuporta sa kanila sa nagdaang 35 taon.
“We would like to thank you all very much from the bottom of our hearts for all your support the past 35 memorable years. We cannot ask for more." Marivic Awitan