PH HORSE RACING BUBUKSAN SA TURISTA

ISUSULONG ng Philippine Racing Commission (Philracom) sa ilalim ni chairman Reli de Leon na maging malaking bahagi ang local horseracing sa sports tourism industry.

“It’s about time to open Philippine horseracing to tourists,” sabi ni De Leon sa online Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum kahapon

Ayon kay De Leon, nakatakdang ilatag ng Philracom ang plano sa Department of Tourism, Department of Foreign Affairs, at sa iba’t ibang embahada sa bansa.

“This will boost our sales. It will be good for sports tourism. The tourists will not only come to the Philippines to go to Boracay but experience horseracing here,” sabi ni De Leon.

“We see this is a good way of promoting sports tourism,” anang Philracom chief, tinukoy na halimbawa ang Kentucky Derby sa United States o ang major races sa Dubai na umaakit ng hanggang 100,000 turista kada araw.

“This also means more money for our government and more employment for our countrymen,” dagdag ni De Leon sa forum na itinataguyod ng San Miguel Corporation (SMC), MILO, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Amelie Hotel Manila, Unilever, at Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

Aniya, hindi tulad sa ibang mga bansa na nakararanas ng winter, na nangangahulugan ng pagkahinto sa horseracing, ang Philracom ay may yearlong calendar.

“Philracom can coordinate with the various travel agencies in the country in putting up horseracing packages for tourists, including airfare, board and lodging and shuttles from their hotels to the racetracks,” ani De Leon.

“We will invite tourists from all over the world,” dagdag pa niya sa forum na dinaluhan din ni Philracom executive director Ron Corpuz.

Inanunsiyo rin ng Philracom ang pagdaraos ng unang 2,400-meter race sa bansa sa Sept. 18 sa MJCI sa Carmona, Cavite, isang three-day Horseracing Festival at Expo mula Oct. 14 hanggang 16, at ang Hall of Fame Awards sa Dec. 4 kung saan ihahayag ang initial batch ng 10 awardees.