Enhanced Sports Management. A group of 26 sports faculty members from 20 Philippine universities recently completed a specialized two-week training program at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), aimed at boosting their capabilities in managing sports events and promoting sports tourism. The training, which took place in an undated session, was highlighted by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on December 10, 2024, as a significant step towards improving sports activities across the Philippines.
MANILA – The initiative to enhance sports and sports tourism in the Philippines has taken a leap forward with the completion of a short course by representatives from 20 higher education institutions (HEIs) in Malaysia. The course focused on sports management and tourism, equipping participants with essential skills to elevate the quality of sports events in their home country.
The participating universities, including Bukidnon State University, Sorsogon State University, and others, have a history of hosting significant sports events like the Palarong Pambansa and various athletic associations. The training at UKM covered critical areas such as organizing major sports events, promoting sports tourism, and tackling financial and administrative challenges at both local and international levels.
The curriculum also included practical sessions on planning, executing sports events, problem-solving, decision-making, and analyzing case studies. This comprehensive approach aims to ‘upskill’ the participants, enabling them to contribute more effectively to the sports sector in the Philippines.
CHED Chairperson J. Prospero de Vera III emphasized that the training aligns with the ASEAN work plan on sports for 2021-2025 and supports the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Sports’ declaration on the role of sports in community building and sustainable development. He expressed pride in the collaboration with UKM and optimism about the future contributions of the trained faculty to the Philippine sports industry.
Looking ahead, de Vera anticipates that the participants will implement new strategies and initiatives in their universities and athletic leagues, potentially partnering with local governments to further enhance sports events and tourism in the Philippines.