CHENGDU, China — What began as a courtesy meeting to share common goals in sports has evolved into an ambitious but achievable vision: the Philippines hosting the World Games 2033.

International World Games Association (IWGA) President José Perurena López and Chief Executive Officer Joachim Gossow warmly welcomed Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Patrick Gregorio at the Intercontinental Century City Hotel on Saturday. The dialogue, initially meant to reaffirm mutual respect and shared values, soon turned into exploratory talks that aligned with the PSC’s drive to promote sports tourism and showcase Filipino hospitality.

Encouragement from IWGA leaders

Lopez, an 80-year-old former Olympic canoeist with six decades of sports leadership experience, stressed that hosting the World Games is about community involvement, not building new arenas. “We don’t give it to big cities. What we want is a host that will bring together its people and give attendees a tournament they will always remember,” Lopez said, noting the event’s suitability for developing nations eager to display their heritage and culture.

These sentiments resonated with Gregorio, who immediately envisioned a strong bid for the 14th staging of the competition. “What we can offer is a game with a heartbeat,” he said, earning applause from IWGA executives. Gossow responded with optimism, saying, “Well, you are one point ahead of everybody,” as he expressed excitement at the possibility of the Philippines becoming the first Southeast Asian nation to host the Games.

An achievable bid with existing infrastructure

Bidding for the 2033 edition is open until 2026, with the host city to be announced the same year. Karlsruhe, Germany, is already preparing for the 2029 Games, expected to gather 5,000 athletes from 34 sports. Host nations can also propose indigenous sports for inclusion.

Gregorio highlighted that Manila, Clark, and Baguio already have facilities capable of accommodating athletes, officials, and their families. “We can do this for the Philippines. Imagine welcoming 110 countries and giving them the warmth of Filipino hospitality,” he said. Chef de Mission Stephen Arapoc joined Gregorio in the meeting, signaling the PSC’s commitment to pursuing the bid.

If successful, the Philippines would gain the opportunity to stage one of the world’s premier multi-sport events for non-Olympic disciplines, leaving a lasting impact on the country’s sports tourism and global reputation.