Puerto Princesa City rolls out red carpet

A WARM welcome amidst a festive atmosphere awaits the international competing arnis delegates arriving today in the city of Puerto Princesa that hosts the annual spectacle for the first time this weekend.

Staging the international martial arts events, according to Mayor Edward Hagedorn, has been a cherished dream of Palaweños who want to showcase their hospitality and promote the city as an emerging sports tourism capital in the country.

“The event was a big help in boosting the country’s image that proved to be a big help in the Philippine economic recovery. And once more, we would like to showcase Puerto Princesa City as one of the world’s best environmental tourist spots,” added Hagedorn.

The city which earned the monicker “a City in a Forest” has successfully hosted both local and international sporting events in the past, most prominent of which are: the BIMP-EAGA Games in 2003, the National Youth and Women\'s Amateur Boxing Championship, the MIMAROPA RAA Games, the International Invitational Sepak Takraw Championships and the FIM-UAM Asia Pacific Motocross Championships.

Today, Puerto Princesa will take its achievements in the sports tourism realm to greater heights when it hosts the 2010 World Invitational Sports Arnis Tournament slated at the Puerto Princesa City Coliseum until August 1. Admission is free.

Considered as the biggest arnis event in the world, this will be participated in by martial artists from Germany, Russia, Australia, US, Jordan, Singapore, Japan, Israel, Slovakia, Switzerland, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Norway, Qatar and the Philippines.

City Information Department / C. Catimpo