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| (Image Source: Manila Bulletin/Philippine Sports Commission) |
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 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 in Pasig City. 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.
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Patrick Gregorio, who was the guest of honor at the awards night, praised the federation’s achievement, stating, “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,’’ noting that the event exemplified the synergy between tourism and athletic development. The awards night held last August 24, 2026 at the Manila Marriott Hotel Grand Ballroom, organized by the Sports Tourism Alliance Committee led by its founder and chairman Charles Lim in partnership with the PSC with the full support of the Manila Marriott Hotel Selrahco, NUSTAR Resort Cebu, Department of Tourism and Universal Robina Corporation, highlighted the diverse ways sports tourism is flourishing nationwide. As the Chairperson of the National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Committee (NST-IAC), 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. Napaka-swerte natin dahil President Marcos really believes that sports tourism is a strategy not only to promote tourism but to develop grassroots sports,” said Gregorio. He cited the recently concluded 4th Southeast Asia Open Water Swimming Championships in Boracay and the recent Aerobic Gymnastics Asian Championships, the Tour of Luzon as examples of how hosting boosts local participation and global exposure and underscored the transformative power of sports tourism. The evening also paid tribute to Lim whose leadership has steered the awards since inception. “What is unique with sports tourism is that while athletes compete for points and prize money, the host country showcases its destinations to millions of viewers worldwide. From tennis to surfing, cycling to futsal, sambo to karate, these events bring athletes, fans, and federations together and in the process, they elevate the Philippines on the global sports map,” said Gregorio.
Both Lim and Gregorio presented the awards with the assistance of Tourism Undersecretary Shahlimar Tamano representing Tourism Secretary Dita Angarra-Mathay and Sports Turismo Alliance Inc. Vice President Benito Bengzon Jr., honoring the venues, destinations, organizers, sports associations and other institutions that have driven Philippine tourism forward through premier sporting events in the country. Aside from the PFF and the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup in Manila, these outstanding awardees include the following:
• Emerging National Sports Association of the Year: World Archery Philippines
• Domestic Event of the Year: Tour of Luzon
• Event Organizer of the Year (Public): City of Puerto Princesa
• Event Organizer of the Year (Private): Sunrise Events Inc.
• Emerging Destination of the Year: City of Puerto Princesa
• Destination Marketing Event of the Year: City of Lapu-Lapu
• Media Outfit of the Year: Duck World Philippines
• Tour Operator of the Year: Grand Country Tours and Travel
• Charity Event of the Year: Marriott Charity Golf
• Venue of the Year: New Clark City
• Airline of the Year: Philippine Airlines
• Hotel of the Year: NUSTAR Resort Cebu
• M.I.C.E. (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions) Event of the Year: Sports Tourism Forum at SMX Clark
• Destination of the Year: Subic Bay Freeport Zone
• Sports Personality of the Year: Gymnastics Association of the Philippines President Cynthia Carrion
• Local TV Sports Media Outfit of the Year: Island Living Channel
Gracing the occasion were Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose Alino, Clark Development Corporation (CDC) President and CEO Atty. Agnes Devanadera, Philippine Retirement Authority General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Roberto “Bob’’ Zozobrado, Puerto Princesa City Mayor Lucilio Bayron, and Lapu-Lapu City Congressman Junard Chan alongside top officials of national sports associations and organizations in the country.
By bringing the world’s best women’s futsal teams to Manila, the PFF not only showcased the country’s organizational capacity but also generated a ripple effect across tourism and grassroots sports. Hotels, restaurants, and transport services benefited from the influx of athletes, officials, and fans while young Filipino players gained invaluable exposure by competing on home soil. “When we host events of this magnitude, we don’t just welcome athletes and fans. We showcase our destinations, inspire our youth, and strengthen our national identity through sports,’’ said Gregorio. The Philippines is set to host the biggest surfing event on the planet — the World Surf League Championship Tour, where the top 40 surfers in the world will see action — on October 31-November 10, 2026 while the Asian U19 Sepak Takraw Championships (November 18-25) and the East Asia Baseball Cup (November 26-December 5) are likewise on the pipeline.
