Sambo tournament boosts tourism and sports commission vows success

The premier grappling tournament is presented by the Philippine Sports Commission under the National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Committee. As the primary agency mandated to oversee athletic affairs, the sports commission is heavily tasked with ensuring that the event is executed flawlessly. If the five-day meet proceeds without logistical hurdles, officials noted that it is highly expected to result to a massive influx of foreign visitors and an undeniable boost to the local economy.

Pilipinas Sambo Federation Inc. president Paolo Tancontian stated that the federation initially anticipated a modest turnout. However, projections were recently updated, and officials now estimate that the competition would accommodate a larger international delegation.

"We had expected only about 500 athletes but those numbers are swelling since we presently have about 400 of them already," Tancontian explained. "We could end up with over 600 grapplers from 31 countries."

To cope up with the overwhelming number of expected attendees, various sports equipments and facilities are currently being assessed at the venue. Regional neighbor Cambodia is reportedly fielding a forty-two-member squad that will seek to make its influence felt in the competition sanctioned by the International Sambo Federation. Tancontian disclosed that distant nations, e.g., Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Iran, Syria, Australia and New Zealand, were keenly interested in joining the blue-ribbon tournament.

Unless the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East persist, the federation had initially looked forward to welcoming all thirty-six countries under the continental union. Nevertheless, securing thirty-one participating nations remains a major institutional victory.

Patrick "Pato" Gregorio, chairman of the sports commission, pointed out that this encouraging development proves that the government's advocacy for sports tourism is a worthwhile economic endeavor. The heavy responsibility of capitalizing on these international events falls largely on the committee, which was established through Administrative Order No. 38 signed by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. last October.

The Philippine president authorized the creation of the inter-agency group to consolidate government efforts.

"With each staging of an international meet in our country, the [committee] has provided the proper guidance and framework so that these sports and tourism showcases can really shine and leave long lasting memories," Gregorio, who also heads the inter-agency group, stressed. He added that exposing delegates to world-renowned Filipino hospitality remains integral to their strategic framework.

According to Gregorio, hosting well-organized international competitions serves as a welcome enterprise that generates income for the government, the local hospitality sector and the tourism industry. Sports events of this magnitude are largely considered win-win situations for all involved, i.e., the foreign visitors, local fans and various institutional stakeholders.

As the opening date draws nearer, strict coordination and cooperation among government agencies, national sports associations and the private sector are being closely monitored. A special squad of tournament coordinators are presently finalizing the logistical blueprint to guarantee a seamless execution.

"We are bringing all of these knowledge, experiences and outputs to ensure that the country's staging of the 11th Asia-Oceania Sambo Championships will be another huge success in all areas," Gregorio concluded.

Olympic champion Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo has shifted her focus from her own competitive career to nurturing the next generation of weightlifters, advocating for expanded educational pathways and sustained government support as the sport makes its historic debut as a regular medal event at the Palarong Pambansa.