MANILA – Former eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao is putting his passion for sports and grassroots development together by opening a sports academy, starting in the Middle East.
Pacquiao, the newly appointed Vice President of the International Boxing Association, said he will put up the "Manny Pacquiao Sports Academy" in Dubai.
"It's really important to support the young kids, especially the grassroots level. So to develop a good fighter, that's what IBA plans to do with our President Umar [Kremlev]. We're going to establish a Manny Pacquiao Boxing Academy not only in the Philippines but in different countries in the world," he told reporters earlier this week.
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"We’re planning to start in Dubai. Either early this year or early next year. So that's what we're planning to do," Pacquiao shared.
The Filipino boxing icon said the planned academy will not just be focused on boxing.
"Our goal is to put up a Manny Pacquiao Sports Academy. Not only boxing. Major in boxing but in any sports, we're going to develop young athletes, young kids to make history in their lives," he said.
Pacquiao believes his appointment as IBA Vice President will help the academy come to fruition and reach more young boxers globally.
"Bale yung idea nila and idea ko pinaghalo namin so parang collaboration of ideas like plan so maganda yung resulta and we can do a lot of things for this new friendship with the IBA," he shared.
Iba-ibang bansa [yung academy] especially Dubai, UAE, America, here in the Philippines, Russia, China, USA," Pacquiao added.
He said the academy will not just help aspiring Filipino athletes but also kids from all over the world to maximize their potential.
Earlier this week, the IBA announced Pacquiao's appointment as its Vice President.
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"Sa sports development. Mag-focus kami sa sports development ng mga bata. So yun ang ano muna namin ngayon, diniscuss namin mag-focus kami doon. Makatulong kami sa mga young boxers," the Filipino boxing icon explained.
"I love the platform of IBA because it supports from grassroots level. The young kids will be supported and going to professional. It's [a] good package for boxing for them to have an organization that can support them," Pacquiao said of the IBA.
The former Olympic boxing body said Pacquiao will be working with IBA President Umar Kremlev to develop athlete-first programs and to expand athlete opportunities.
"In turn, bringing Manny Pacquiao into the IBA as Vice President, this will only enhance the work that we got right now for IBA. Just doing tremendous things. Just touching on the point about Manny. This story for Manny doesn't finish now, it continues because his legacy moves on," IBA Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer Chris Roberts OBE said.
"The president brought Manny to bring further great things to IBA. We talk about from grassroots: courage, discipline, respect, integrity, loyalty, selfless commitment. All these we see with Manny, but with the president as well," he added.
Kremlev likewise welcomed the appointment of Pacquiao as the body's Vice President, which may bring more major boxing events to the Philippines.
He said Pacquiao’s background and impact in the sport will help IBA develop athlete-first programs and expand opportunities.
Meantime, Dubai will be host of the 2026 IBA Men's Elite World Championships in December.
Pacquiao said it's unclear yet which Filipino boxers will compete, but the country may field four to six boxers in the competition.
A total of $8.32 million in prize money is up for grabs, where each gold medalist gets $300,000, $150,000 for silver, $75,000 for bronze, and $10,000 for quarterfinalists.
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"The idea is to support kids from the early grassroots up until they are serious professionals and whilst they are still amateurs, so they can provide for themselves. They have to have some comfort in their endeavors," IBA Pro Director Al Siesta said.
"We need to support them from the very first stage so they're comfortable in the amateurs, then they're turning pro to the next and final chapter and their career. Whole entire journey, IBA ecosystem we call it," he added.
IBA aims to make the World Championships the benchmark or main tournament for amateur boxing.
The IBA Men's Elite World Championships will run from December 2 to 13 at the Dubai Tennis Stadium.