Everything is set for the hosting of the first National Surfing Cup in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte province, two years after the coronavirus disease-2019 (Covid-19) put the famous sporting event in hiatus.
The First Mayor Sol’s National Surfing Competition is set to take place from Sept. 28 to Oct. 1 at the Cloud 9 surfing spot in the town of General Luna.
“A coordination meeting was conducted over the weekend to assess the preparations and to identify the other needs for the staging of the surfing event,” said former Surigao del Norte Governor Francisco Matugas in an interview Monday.
Matugas, who presided over the meeting on Saturday, is designated as consultant to the event to oversee the ongoing preparations.
The national competition, sanctioned by the United Philippine Surfing Association (UPSA), will serve as a qualifying event for the 26th International Siargao Surfing Cup which will be held on Oct. 15 to 21 also at Cloud 9.
“Aside from the prizes and other financial needs, the security for the event is already in place, with the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Coast Guard tasked to ensure the safety of the players and the visitors, and the orderliness of the occasion,” Matugas said.
The national and international sporting events are among the robust moves of local leaders to revive the tourism industry on the island after the pandemic and the onslaught of typhoon Odette in December last year.
At least of PHP1.5 million in prizes await the winners of the competition, of which, 12 top players will automatically qualify to compete in the upcoming international surfing event.
Matugas thanked the support of the private sector to the surfing cup, particularly the Platinum Globe Mining Corporation headed by Joseph Sy, its chairperson.
Meanwhile, the office of Representative Francisco Jose Matugas II of the 1st district of Surigao del Norte said it is finalizing the list of the players who will join the sporting event.
“In coordination with the UPSA, we will release the final list of the participants to the event,” the House solon’s office said. (PNA)
