The Philippines is set to host another major international sporting event as the 11th Asia-Oceania Sambo Championships gets underway on June 23 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

Organizers said the tournament, presented by the Philippine Sports Commission under the National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Committee, is expected to attract more than 600 athletes from 31 countries.

 

Pilipinas Sambo Federation Inc. president Paolo Tancontian said initial projections only estimated around 500 participants. However, interest in the competition has continued to grow as more countries confirm participation.

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

The five-day tournament is sanctioned by the International Sambo Federation and is considered one of the region’s biggest sambo competitions this year.

Strong international turnout

Tancontian revealed that neighboring Cambodia is sending a 42-member delegation to the tournament. He added that several countries from Central Asia and the Middle East also expressed strong interest in joining the prestigious event.

Among the nations expected to participate are Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Iran, Syria, Australia, and New Zealand. Organizers said the turnout reflects the growing popularity of sambo across Asia and Oceania.

“These numbers may seem small for team sports, but for sambo that is a lot of entries,” Tancontian explained.

He added that geopolitical tensions in the Middle East may prevent full participation from all member nations under the Sambo Union of Asia and Oceania.

“Were it not for the tensions in the Middle East, we had looked forward to all 36 countries of the Sambo Union of Asia and Oceania to send teams. If we get 31 nations, I would be very happy,” he said.

Boost for sports tourism

Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio said hosting international competitions continues to strengthen the country’s sports tourism initiatives.

Gregorio explained that staging major events benefits both the government and private tourism stakeholders by generating economic activity and promoting the Philippines as a sports destination.

“Hosting a well-organized international competition like the forthcoming 11th Asia-Oceania Sambo Championships is always a welcome enterprise that generates income for both the government and the tourism industry,” Gregorio said.

He added that international sporting events provide opportunities to showcase Filipino hospitality and improve coordination between government agencies and sports organizations.

Gregorio also credited Administrative Order No. 38 signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for helping improve the country’s sports tourism framework through the NST-IAC.

“With each staging of an international meet in our country, the NST-IAC has provided the proper guidance and framework so that these sports and tourism showcases can really shine and leave long lasting memories,” Gregorio said.

The PSC chairman added that the government continues refining its approach in organizing international tournaments to ensure future sporting events become even more successful.

“The coordination and cooperation among government agencies, the National Sports Associations and the private sector involved in these projects is more integrated, efficient and cohesive,” Gregorio added.

Officials remain optimistic that the upcoming Asia-Oceania Sambo Championships will further boost the Philippines’ reputation as a capable host for major international sporting competitions.