For a country that is passionate about sports, hosting big-time international events to attract sports lovers and tourists has always been a dream.

With the creation of a “super team” through Administrative Order No. 38, that dream is a step closer to reality as key government agencies are finally aligned with the common goal of grabbing a huge chunk of the global, multibillion-dollar sports tourism market.

The National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Committee (NST-IAC) is a masterstroke in administrative engineering as it effectively puts government agencies like the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Department of Tourism, Department of the Interior and Local Government and Department of Budget and Management on the same page. 

More than the technical know-how, having these agencies working under one banner will ensure that the resources and the logistics needed will be addressed holistically. This integrated approach eliminates the bureaucratic friction that previously derailed well-intentioned bids, transforming the country into a single, efficient sports tourism contender on the global stage.

The success of the “super team” rests on the lead agency: the PSC.

The PSC is equipped for this massive undertaking as it  had served as the funding agency for the country’s successful hosting of international events like the 30th Southeast Asian Games, the FIBA Basketball World Cup and the FIVB Volleyball Men’s Championship. 

Simply put, it has a track record that  proves it can organize large-scale, multi-venue and multi-agency sports events.

And there’s no better person to lead the NST-IAC than PSC Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio.

Gregorio has seen it all. He is one of the very few local sports executives who has assumed leadership roles in key sports agencies like the PSC, Philippine Olympic Committee, national sports associations — and even the Philippine Basketball Association. 

But his wealth of knowledge in sports administration is only half of his qualifications.

Gregorio is also a titan of the hospitality industry. After graduating from the University of the Philippines and earning a degree at the Asian Tourism Institute, Gregorio became the youngest general manager of the Manila Hotel and president of Waterfront Hotels and Resorts in Cebu City, which led to his being chosen one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men in 2003.

He knows instinctively that sports tourism is fundamentally about the guest experience — ensuring that the athletes, coaches, team officials, spectators and international media are all provided with world-class facilities, accommodations, logistics and service. This rare fusion of deep knowledge of both competitive sports logistics and the commercial tourism ecosystem perfectly positions him to lead the NST-IAC.

When a country successfully hosts events like these, the benefits far exceed ticket sales. It also generates massive economic ripple effects, stimulating local economies through increased hotel occupancies, food and beverage spending, retail purchases and temporary hospitality and security jobs creation. 

Furthermore, they provide invaluable global media exposure, cementing a positive, dynamic brand image for the Philippines.

Indeed, the starting gun has been fired and the “super team” led by Gregorio is ready to work.

There is no doubt the Philippines is finally positioned to leverage its natural assets and competitive spirit not just to thrill the people with victories on the court but to fuel a dynamic, sustainable economic future powered by sports tourism.