Fresh from the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, where he won silver medal, Zamboangueño boxer Eumir Felix Marcial arrived to a rousing hero’s welcome organized by the city government of Zamboanga under the leadership of Mayor John Dalipe on Friday morning, Oct. 20.
In his message during the program at City Hall grounds, Mayor Dalipe conveyed his felicitations to Olympian boxer Marcial, saying that the latter’s fresh silver victory in the Asian Games brings honor and glory to Zamboanga City and the entire country as well.
“You are an inspiration and hope for the Zamboangueños, especially at this time when the city is recovering from difficulties brought about by the pandemic,” Dalipe said of Marcial, an internationally acclaimed Zamboangueño boxer.
He described Marcial as a guiding light for the youths, in particular those who desire to excel in boxing and other sporting events.
For his part, Paris Olympics-bound Marcial underscored the power of sports in changing life for the better, citing his own experience and those of others who excelled in their chosen sports.
During the program that was preceded by a motorcade from the airport, Dalipe together with Vice Mayor Pinpin Pareja handed over to Marcial a ceremonial check for P300,000, representing his cash incentive from the city government pursuant to an ordinance. A check for P150,000 was also given to the boxer’s coach.
Marcial, who now qualifies for the Paris Olympics next year, previously bagged the bronze medal in the 2018 Asian Games. In the World Championships, the Zamboangueño boxer won a silver in the 2019 edition, and won gold in the 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2022 editions of the Southeast Asian Games.-[Vic Larato]