WHILE MOST provinces are shying away from hosting any event that would likely incur expenses and time, the readiness of some LGUs as influenced and approved by their active LCEs (Local Chief Executives) to grab or accept any opportunity to host any event, be it a cultural, tourism activity or sports – be it regional, tri-regional, national or international in scope, even during election year, is truly inspiring and is worth noticing and acknowledging.
For most sport observers, the acceptance only signifies that there are still chief executives around us in Western Visayas who still value the continuity of a regional activity more than politics.
Like the upcoming WVRAA (Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association) Meet slated on February 18-22, 2013 which will be held in Capiz instead of Aklan. It can be recalled that in 2009, the same regional sports event was hosted by the Capiz Province. The hosting gave the Provincial Government a chance to promote sports and tourism at the same time. With more than a thousand delegates (officials and athletes) set to arrive in the province to participate and compete in various sports, Capiz Province and Roxas City will definitely be put in the limelight once again.
With most athletes, coaches and school officials assured to be billeted in various schools, parents or families of athletes coming from neighboring provinces in the region are expected to stay in local hotels to watch their kids compete in the regional sports event. Their visit, travel and stay in the Seafood City, though for a few days only, will stir the local economy by generating additional businesses for tourism-related establishments like the local transport, restaurants, resorts and hotels.
Pasalubong centers and souvenir shops will also encounter incremental sales as guests will surely bring with them some items to remind them of the memories they have had during their short stay.
Local government authorities, the PNP command and DepEd personnel involved in the preparation, along with the local media practitioners in print, broadcast and TV are in consultation as to how to make the sports event successful and memorable for all. Matters regarding tricycle fares, billeting needs of athletes and coaches like enough water and safety of all sports participants were tackled during their first consultation meeting last January 25. Budget requirements are to be finalized soon after all working committees have submitted their budget proposals for the said sports event. A series of consultation meeting will be set before the event to iron out details and possible flaws expected to crop during the event.
Appropriate spaces for media have been requested and will be provided by the event organizers within the Capiz Villareal Stadium to allow access and comfortable coverage during the event. The allotted space will help local media practitioners in getting competition results on a daily basis from day one to the culminating day.
Capiz Villareal Stadium, a 10-hectare sports complex, considered to be the most accessible sports complex outside Metro Manila, is nestled within the one-kilometer radius of the city proper. Previously rehabilitated, during the term of Governor Vicente Bermejo and Governor Victor Tanco Jr. the sport complex has been consistently used as the official venue for various events hosted by the province. (Alger O. Inocencio/The Daily Guardian)
