Melo Villareal
Manila, Philippines — Despite the slowdown of the sports scenario for most parts of 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, movers and shakers were in the sports tourism sector were feted recently at the 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.
Leading the awardees were Metro Pacific Investments Corp. chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan and Dumaguete City Mayor Felipe Remollo, 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 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 for (international event), and Sunrise Events Inc. (private organizer),
Rounding up the winning circle in the government sector are Dumaguete City (event organizer), 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 bounce back in 2021, despite the many challenges along the way.
“This event happening in Clark shows we have gone an extra mile to practice safety protocols. PSTA could not just let 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 appropriate for the awards to be held in Clark as he has proposed to initiate bids for sports events to be hosted jointly by Clark, Subic Bay, and the New Clark City. He noted that creating a sports alliance augurs well for the three destinations to complement world-class facilities, promotions, and management.
Bubble sports events were also initiated during the quarantine period, most notably the Philippines Basketball Association season, held in Angeles City and housed in Clark.
“These trailblazing initiatives which promote health and safety in an unprecedented time is a good sign to where the sports tourism sector is headed this 2021,” Lim concludes.
In the photo at the awards night are (from left) SBMA senior deputy administrator Renato Lee III, BCDA vice president Arrey Perez, Sonny Barrios representing Manny V Pangilinan, Atty Dianne Patawaran of Coca Cola Beverages Phils, PSTA chairman Charles Lim, CDC vice chairman Benjamin Defensor, Jr., Dumaguete City Mayor Felipe Remollo, PTV 4 sports anchor Meg Siozon, The Mansion Boutique Hotel general manager Matt Attaway, TRAP secretary-general Ramon Marchan, (below the stage) Trisports Solutions VP for Marketing Carlo Sampan and president Mikey Chua.
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Also read: Recovery Of PH Sports Tourism Pushed
