THE 3rd FIG Artistic Gymnastic Junior World Championships will greatly benefit from the new National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Committee formed by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr, according to Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Patrick "Pato" Gregorio.
"In bidding for the hosting of international meets, now both the private sectors, represented by National Sports Associations, and the government will be on the same page," noted Gregorio during the PSC-organized Inter-Agency Coordination Meeting held Tuesday on the global gymnastics showcase set Nov. 20 to 24 at the Manila Marriott Grand Ballroom in Pasay City.
"With the NST-IAC, both sectors can now work together without overlapping, how to maximize the brands (like the junior world championships) and maximize the support of the government agencies involved," stressed the sports tourism body formed through the President's Administrative Order No. 38 issued last Oct. 31.
Gymnastics Association of the Philippines president Cynthia Carrion, who boldly bid for the competition in last year's International Gymnastics Federation Congress in Doha, Qatar, was grateful to the PSC, and the newly formed sports tourism body for all-out government support for the meet.
"When the FIG technical officials visited the country to inspect our preparations last August, they awarded the GAP a gold medal for our organization," Carrion proudly informed the inter-agency meeting of the championships backed by the Office of the President, PSC, and Newport World Resorts.
With the PSC as lead agency, a key role of the NST-IAC is to "lead plan, source, and/or allocate funds for the bidding of said (international) sporting events, in coordination with relevant international sports governing bodies, sports associations, and other government agencies, including LGUS, subject to applicable laws, rules, and regulations."
They must also formulate and implement marketing and promotional strategies to maximize the economic, cultural, and social benefits of sports tourism.
Combined with all the other provisions contained in the AO, Gregorio pointed out that "what we now have here is a holistic approach in the future for the country's bidding and hosting of international competitions."
Carrion reported that as of Oct. 31, 72 countries and 762 participants have already signed up for the World Juniors, also supported by Philippine Airlines and St. Luke's Medical Center.
"Newport World Resorts hotels have rolled out the welcome mat for our delegates," said Carrion of the Manila Marriott Hotel, Hotel Okura Manila, Belmont Hotel, Hilton Manila Newport World, Savoy Hotel Manila, Belmont Hotel, and Holiday Inn Express serving as the official quarters of the FIG brass and foreign contingents.
She reiterated that all of the participants were in for a wonderful and memorable time in experiencing the famed Filipino hospitality during and after the championships, also supported by Cignal, the official broadcaster, the Department of Tourism, Milo and Pocari Sweat.
