Insider Spotlight
The city will host the 10th Senior Aerobic Gymnastics Asian Championships from Aug. 4 to 7 at the reconfigured Tagaytay City Velodrome, with more than 400 athletes and officials from 11 participating countries expected to attend.
Why it matters
International sporting events are increasingly viewed by local governments as tourism drivers that generate demand for accommodations, dining, transportation, and recreational activities while showcasing destinations to overseas visitors.
“Philippine Olympic Committee president and former Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham Tolentino graciously offered us the Tagaytay City Velodrome for our event. After inspecting it, we gratefully accepted his offer,” Gymnastics Association of the Philippines president Cynthia Carrion said in a press statement.
Participating teams will come from Cambodia, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Japan, South Korea, Mongolia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
By the numbers
Organizers said the city has prepared hospitality packages and coordinated with restaurants, cafés, and other commercial establishments to provide discounts and privileges for athletes, officials, and delegates during their stay.
The event is organized by the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP), sanctioned by the Asian Gymnastics Union, and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), and the Tagaytay City government.
Carrion added that visitors will be encouraged to explore Tagaytay's attractions, including its food offerings and scenic views overlooking Taal Lake.
“There is a variety of opportunities that our athletes and delegates for the 10th Senior Aerobic Championships can choose from when they visit Tagaytay, a beautiful and inspiring environment where they will return home with wonderful memories of their visit,” Carrion added.
The bigger picture
PSC chair Patrick Gregorio said staging international competitions outside Metro Manila aligns with the agency's efforts to promote regional tourism and maximize the economic benefits of sports hosting.
“This is another noteworthy project hosted by GAP under the leadership of Cynthia [Carrion]. The association has already shown its superb ability in hosting and organizing international events,” Gregorio said.
The Tagaytay City Velodrome, the country's only UCI-certified cycling oval, has been modified to accommodate about 3,000 spectators for the championship. Organizers will also bring back "Bughaw" and "Lila," the official mascots from last year's Artistic Gymnastics Junior World Championships, alongside an official music video for the event.
“We can expect GAP to raise the bar higher with its hosting of the 10th Senior Aerobic Gymnastics Asian Championships and with the support of POC president Bambol and Mayor Brent, we are assured of another stellar international sporting event,” he added. —Vanessa Hidalgo| Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
