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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/Ormoc City Public Information Office) |
This charming city by the bay is charting a bold course in Philippine sports development, determined to establish itself as both a regional training hub and a premier sports tourism destination. Under the leadership of Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez and Leyte 4th District Congressman Richard Gomez and with the full backing of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), the city is steadily building the infrastructure and programs to make that vision a reality.
The city’s commitment was highlighted during its 79th Charter Day celebrations where PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio addressed 1,500 delegates of the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines from across the country. “Ormoc City is the perfect showcase for sports tourism. It’s not only a great destination, it’s a great host,” said Gregorio. In his speech, Gregorio pointed out the sports tourism success of Thailand and Vietnam whose minister of sports is likewise the minister of tourism as well as in Korea and Poland. He further stresssed, “They are using sports and tourism to collaborate and to promote the destination because they know that the biggest tourism events in the world are sports events,” citing the Olympics, the FIFA World Cup and the Formula 1 Grand Prix, among others. Ormoc’s ambition is reflected in the facilities already completed and those still under construction. These include a modern pentathlon training facility, a boxing gym, obstacle course, wall climbing modules, BMX track, a fencing gym, skateboarding park, karate and martial arts gym, track oval, and rowing facilities at Lake Danao where the PSC donated boats and assigned coaches from the national team to propagate the sport. All of these form the backbone of a sports complex designed to serve athletes and the entire community. These venues are envisioned not only as training grounds for elite competitors but also as attractions that will draw tourists, tournaments, and international events to the city. Mayor Torres-Gomez expressed her gratitude to the PSC and emphasized the city’s holistic approach, stating, “We thank the PSC for believing in Ormoc’s vision. These facilities are not just for athletes but for families, communities, and visitors. Our goal is to make Ormoc a premier sports tourism destination, where people can dream big, train hard, and enjoy world-class experiences,” highlighting the city’s intent to blend athletic excellence with tourism appeal.
Part of the month-long festivities for the Charter Day celebration was the unveiling of an obstacle course and a wall climbing facility aside from showcasing a new multi-level dormitory that can house at least 120 athletes, all within the vicinity of the track oval and sports complex. “Ormoc is building facilities for multiple sports from karate dojos, martial arts training to obstacle courses and even rowing at Lake Danao. This is part of our mission to establish Ormoc as a regional training hub, where athletes can prepare for national and international competitions while the community benefits from sports tourism,” said Congressman Gomez who is the president of the Philippine Modern Pentathlon Association and second vice president of the Philippine Olympic Committee. National sports associations have already begun to take notice. Karate Pilipinas President Ricky Lim praised Ormoc’s initiative for its plan to build a dedicated training facility for karate and donated new mats, stating, “Thank you for sharing your space for karate. In return, we promise to propagate the sport here. We are donating new mats, and eventually, we will bring the national team to Ormoc to train and teach the youth for free. This is how continuity in sports development is achieved.” In closing, Chairman Gregorio emphasized PSC’s commitment to supporting the city’s ambitions, expressing, “Ormoc City is fast becoming a regional training hub for Philippine sports, with facilities that rival international standards. With Mayor Lucy and Congressman Richard all out in their dedication, we are confident that Ormoc will become a model for sports development and tourism in the Philippines.”
