AIMING to be a platform for mutual support, networking and connections for all local and international sports stakeholders, the three-day inaugural Philippine Sports Exposition opens on June 30 at the Okada Resort Hotel in Paranaque.
“We aim to be an aggregator of all the stakeholders in sports, whether big or small, so they can establish connections for mutual support and fund raising,” organizer Michael Herrera said yesterday during the Philippine Sportswriters Association forum at the PSC conference room in Manila.
Joining Herrera in the public sports program supported by the PSC, Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., San Miguel Corp. and Milo were Triple Threat sports outfitter Patrick Buenaobra and Christian Ensomo, the assistant vice president of Gold’s gym.
“We are doing this not only as a forum for our sports stakeholders but also as a celebration and recognition of our Filipino athletes,” said Ensomo, revealing that among the sports celebrities they have invited is Ramon Fernandez, the PBA’s first four-time Most Valuable Player.
“We have also invited Senate President and former arnis champion Migz Zubiri, cue legend Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes and Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Hidylin Diaz to grace our opening on Friday,” Herrera said.
“This exposition is also an opportunity to provide small and medium sports entrepreneurs a platform where they can present their products to a wider sports audience,” said Fil-Kiwi Buenaobra, who started his sports outfitting company in New Zealand and intends to set up a branch in Manila.
Herrera, whose family is into the advertising business and a veteran of several travel expositions, said that Okada Hotel has a huge 6,700-square meter space where 97 booths from different sports brands and companies will be set up, including World Balance and Gold’s Gym.
“We will also be conducting demos on arnis, wrestling, sambo plus an esports tournament in partnership with Mineski so going there will also be a family-oriented affair,” Herrera said.
