ILOCOS Norte is resolved in boosting its reputation not only as the sports tourism capital of the north, but the entire country as well.
The province has proven itself as a safe haven for teams to train, either professional or those from the national teams, even at this time of the pandemic that more and more are now looking to travel to the region and hold their bubble practices.
Philippine Basketball Association teams TnT Tropang Giga and Meralco are currently in their second bubble training in the capital city of Laoag where they hold scrimmages at the Centennial Arena, while the men and women’s beach volleyball teams also have their training camp for almost a month now at Villa Del Mar in Saud Beach in Pagudpud, which Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Manotoc bared as the only Philippine beach to be included in the Most Beautiful Beaches in the World by Travel + Leisure.
“We are located far north, but it’s very safe, and the facilities are of quality. And in a way, we capitalized on that. It would be worth their trip,” said Manotoc, making his first guest appearance in the weekly online Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday.
The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) is also satisfied with the beach volleyball training camp that PNVF President Ramon “Tats” Suzara plans to send the men and women’s teams for a separate training camp starting June 15 as they prepare for the 31st Southeast Asian Games.
Also set to follow, according to Manotoc, son of champion golfer and multi-titled basketball coach Tommy Manotoc and Senator Imee Marcos, is the national handball team.
“Hopefully, we can welcome more. We are a safe and comfortable destination,” Manotoc told the session presented by San Miguel Corp., Milo, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.
“We want to establish Ilocos Norte as the sports tourism capital of the north. If there’s anyone interested and we have the facilities, I’m all for it. My real passion is sports,” Manotoc said.
Before the pandemic, Ilocos Norte hosted other national teams as they prepared for international meets like the canoe kayak squad which trained at the Paoay Lake for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games in Manila.
And during the surge of Covid-19 cases last year, sports didn’t take a hit in the province, according to Manotoc, who is a partner with Marvin Espiritu as sports agents of the Espiritu-Manotoc Basketball Management.
“We hosted three stages of the Ilocos Cycling Tour during the Covid-19 pandemic. No untoward incidents happened,” said the governor, who added more than 800 cyclists participated in the event’s third edition.
“I’ve been a firm supporter of resuming sports during the pandemic. For me, sports is as important as education,” Manotoc told the forum powered by Smart with Upstream Media as official webcast partner.
“I have been lobbying for face-to-face classes and I also lobby for some sort of sports activities for every person, because these are what we need,” he said.
Manotoc said the province could also be a training shelter for water sports such as surfing with its vast beaches and lakes as well as biking and running.
He also welcomes hosting in the future of international meets like the Asian Beach Games.