PFF World Cup hosting shines

The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) emerged as the biggest winner at the 7th Philippine Sports Tourism Awards after clinching two major honors — National Sports Association (NSA) of the Year and International Event of the Year — for its successful hosting of the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup at the Philsports Arena.

Under the leadership of its president John Gutierrez, the twin victories underscored how the PFF’s trailblazing event served as a powerful showcase of sports tourism that elevated destinations, inspired communities and placed the country firmly on the global sporting map.

PSC chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio, guest of honor at the awards night, praised the federation’s achievement.

“The FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup was a celebration of how sports can bring nations together and put the Philippines on the global map,’’ said Gregorio, noting that the event exemplified the synergy between tourism and athletic development.

The awards night itself, organized by the Sports Tourismo Alliance Committee and presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, highlighted the diverse ways sports tourism is flourishing nationwide.

World Archery Philippines was named Emerging NSA of the Year, while the Tour of Luzon earned Domestic Event of the Year.

The City of Puerto Princesa and Sunrise Events were honored as Event Organizers of the Year, with Puerto Princesa also recognized as Emerging Destination of the Year and the City of Lapu-Lapu cited for Destination Marketing Event of the Year.

As the chairperson of the National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Committee, Gregorio commended the honorees for their excellence and persistence in advancing athletic excellence while also highlighting the country’s top destinations on the global stage.

“We all believe that the biggest tourism events in the world are sports events. We’re so fortunate because President Marcos really believes that sports tourism is a strategy not only to promote tourism but to develop grassroots sports,” Gregorio said.