PARIS—The French Open is all set to explode in this city of lights. Despite its romantic pulse, Paris is a sports town where football and the Tour de France reside.
Major sports events galvanize the venues where they are held. If done well, the event becomes a tourist magnet bringing in income from accommodations, food, entertainment and souvenirs. More importantly, residents get involved as they root for their favorites while young sports enthusiasts become interested in heroes and aspire to play in those events one day.
The staging of reasonably priced but publicity loaded sporting events should be part of developing Philippine sports and tourism. Given our economic limitations, we may not be able to attract the top ranked golfers or tennis players of the world. We may not be able to come up with our own major event that the big name players will include in their itinerary.
But we should do what we can given what we have. Manny Pangilinan and his group of companies once staged a top-notch international badminton tournament that exposed us to the high standards of the sport. In 1997 and 1998, our cycling tour became international events attracting Asian riders to pedal against our boys of summer. Golf recently staged the Philippine Open. There are a few other sports that try to get international flavor but are unable to sustain them because money eventually sets in as a stumbling block.
The most viable option seems to be in running and triathlon where our choice landscapes and beach areas are perfect places for these events. Foreign participants want both terrain and weather challenges and reasonable prize money. We can provide these along with our natural hospitality that prompts us to go out of our way to make guests feel at home. Camarines Sur, Boracay, Palawan and Subic are a few of the spots that are perfect for challenging races.
Organizers of international sporting events in the country must develop superb management, financial and diplomatic skills to be able to stage their projects. They must know how to work with government no matter how difficult that may feel. Sports associations must sense that they have a partner in government and not an adversary.
Corporate sponsors must also do their share as they find ways to expose their products and connect with possible customers. Supporting basketball and Manny Pacquiao are always viable projects but there are many other sports that need financial help. In turn, sports organizations must show sponsors that their money will be well spent for excellent exposure.
Even before the first serve is unleashed in the French Open or the first flight tees off in the golf majors around the world, so much is being done to make the events work. If handled well, financial, tourism and sports development goals can be achieved in international events. We should seriously consider holding more of them in the Philippines even if they are not yet majors in the eyes of the world.