Despite the slowdown of sports scenario for most parts of 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, movers and shakers in the sports tourism sector were feted at the recent 4th Philippine Sports Tourism Awards (PSTA) held in Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga.
Organized by Selrahco Management and Consultancy Services and supported by Clark Development Corp., the City of Mabalacat, Smart Communications, Universal Robina Corp., Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc., 16 organizations and personalities were awarded for their valuable contribution to the sports tourism sector in 2019.
Topping the awards were Metro Pacific Investments Corp. Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan and Dumaguete City Mayor Felipe Remollo who were named the year’s top sports tourism personalities in the private and government sectors, respectively.
Other winners were People’s Television Network (news coverage), Philippine Airlines (air carrier), Run With Me X of Resorts World Manila (charity event), Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines (event sponsorship), The Mansion Boutique Hotel and Villas (hotel), Triathlon Association of the Philippines (sports association), Tinman Ilocos Norte (domestic event), Ironman 70.3 (international event), Tour De Cebu (adventure event), and Sunrise Events Inc. (private organizer).
Rounding up the winning circle in the government sector are Dumaguete City (event organizer), the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (destination marketing), Clark Development Corp. (top destination), and New Clark City (sports venue).
PSTA Chairman and Founder Charles Lim expressed confidence that the sports tourism sector will be able to bounce back in 2021, despite the many challenges along the way.
“This event shows we have gone an extra mile to practice safety protocols. PSTA could not allow the year pass without recognizing the efforts of athletes, event organizers, local governments, tourism officials and private individuals who have made 2019 a bumper year for sports and tourism,” he said.
Lim added that it was fitting that the awards be held in Clark, and has proposed to initiate bids for sports events to be hosted jointly by Clark, Subic Bay, and the New Clark City. He noted that the creation of a sports alliance augurs well to the three destinations with their complementation of world-class facilities, promotions and management.
Bubble sports events were also initiated during the quarantine period, most notably the Philippines Basketball Association season, which were held in Angeles City and housed in Clark.
“These trailblazing initiatives which promote health and safety in an unprecedented time are good signs to where the sports tourism sector is headed this 2021,” Lim concludes.