Let us get involved in sports tourism

The first of the different member-guest tournaments of golf clubs all over the country will tee off today at the Cebu Country Club. 

The 29th edition of the Coral Invitational, often also referred to as the Coral Tee, will run until Saturday so that the participants, most especially those from outside Cebu can enjoy the Sinulog celebration on Sunday.

In this event, a club member pairs with a guest and they play two rounds within the four-day period. The team with the most points in the Modified Stableford or PAL Points System at the end of the tournament will be declared as champion.

I’ll be following the event again this year as usual and I’m sure that I’d be bumping into a lot of friends also.

The Coral Invitational is not only a time to see people display their golfing skills, but is also an event that allows old friends to see each other again.

* * *

I woke up too late last Sunday at the start/finish line of the 1st Cebu City Marathon, but since I knew so many who took part in the event, I was still well aware of what was happening.

While there have been some comments, by the non-participants, who complained about the road closures, those who took part in the race, seem to have given it a two thumbs up. 

As to those who complained about the roads that had to be closed, let me explain the concept of the event again.

The Cebu City Marathon is a race that is not only meant for the enjoyment of the participants and the organizers, but to promote Cebu as a sports tourism destination.

Major cities in the world like New York, Boston, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Singapore, to name a few, have their own races. When these places host the race, the roads are also closed, but maybe they have better traffic management people there.

In Monaco, they close the whole place for the Formula-1 grand prix, which they also do in Macau during races.

Maybe this should open the eyes of the people pushing sports tourism. We need to also educate the populace about what is the essence of the whole activity.

I believe the organizers of the Cebu City Marathon did a very good job of promoting the event and getting the people interested about it.

While the first event was a huge success, I am also very sure that the Cebu Executive Runners Club will be working on putting together an even grander 2nd edition of the marathon.

I hope our fellow Cebuanos, including those who are not sport buffs, would also be very excited in the future races.

This should be a community effort and soon we will reap the fruits of such labor.

* * *

MILESTONES: Belated birthday greetings to Yehlen Aguilar and Charrie Noel-Songalia (the better half of my good friend Chad of RCTV), who both turned a year older yesterday.

Birthday greetings go to Dyan Tagimacruz and Paolo Caoile, who are celebrating today.

More power to all of you! -  THE FREEMAN