Gordon, Teng Kok magtutulungan sa pagho-host ng 2003 Asian Athletics Association meet

Nagkasundo sina Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon at athletics president Go Teng Kok na magtutulungan sa pagho-host ng 2003 Asian Athletics Association meet sa September.

Sa pakikipagpulong ni Go kay Undersecretary Rolando Reyes na kumatawan kay Gordon, sinabi nitong "Mr. Gordon is very much interested to help in making the country’s hosting of Asian meet a resounding success."

Natuwa si Reyes nang mabatid na may 44-member countries ng Asian Athletics Association, dating kilalang 4As (Asian Amateur Athletics Association) at maraming foreign dignitaries, prinsesa ng Qatar, Oman at Saudi Arabia, miyembro ng parliaments, at ministro ang darating dito sa bansa.

Ayon kay Reyes, sinabi ni Gordon na makikipagtulungan ang Tourism department sa torneong ito upang matiyak na maasikasong mabuti ang mga panauhin at mai-billet sa mga hotels na malapit sa Rizal Memorial track oval kung saan gaganapin ang championships.

"We will also design tour packages for all sports delegations to enable them to see places and people," ani Reyes. Inatasan nito si Ma. Corazon Jorda-Apo, ang Special Events division chief ng DOT bilang point person para sa partikular na proyektong ito.

"We will also tap the Hotels and Restaurants Association of the Philippines who will be very happy to give all delegates discounts and other amenities," dagdag pa nito.

Kailangan na lamang ng memorandum of agreement upang maging opisyal ang partnership ng DOT at ng Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (PATAFA).

Natuwa naman si Go na batid ni Sec. Gordon ang tourism potential ng pagho-host ng bansa sa Asian meet.

"Unlike other events, in sports, they know that our country is not as troubled as pictured in the Western media. I was also emboldened in the bidding because I know that hosting this event will help promote our country," pahayag ni Go na nagsabing tumulong din si Philippine Sports Commission chairman Eric Buhain sa pagbabayad ng $20,000 para sa tights.