28th PAL Intersports reels off today in Iloilo

An estimated 1,000 sports enthsusiasts from 10 cities, including Houston , Texas and Sydney , Australia , will see action this weekend as the 28 th PAL Intersports reels off this afternoon at the Iloilo Sports Complex.

Johnny Young, president of the Los Amigos de Iloilo and chairman of the organizing committee, said these players, mostly business executives and entrepreneurs, will compete for honor and pride as they square off once more in golf, tennis, basketball, ten-pin bowling, badminton and billiards.

“This yearly tournament will bring together the corporate honchos and businessmen from these cities in a friendly competition that is filled with fun and camaraderie,” Young said yesterday as the teams started arriving in Iloilo City .

The tournament sponsored by Philippine Airlines will formally commence at 2 p.m. today with a parade and opening program at the Iloilo Sports Complex.

City Mayor Jerry Treñas will be the guest of honor during the program.

The participating teams are the Bomberos de Davao, Cagayan de Oro Executives, Houston-Texas, Los Amigos de Iloilo, Los Caballeros de Zamboanga, Los Hermanos de Heneral Santos, Los Jefes de Cebu, Manila Executives, Negros Executives and Sydney-Australia.

“With nearly 1,000 participants, this year's edition of the PAL Intersports is probably the biggest we have had in recent years,” Young said.

Young said this tournament will also give local tourism a big boost as the players are executives and businessmen who will spend a lot of time seeing the sights in the city and province.

“This will also help promote investments, as their short stay here will expose them to the economic activities taking place in Iloilo and could very well motivate them to look closer for investment opportunities,” Young said.

The events will be played at the Sta. Barbara Golf and Country Club (golf), ISC Covered Gym (basketball), Lapaz Tennis Club (tennis), Gaisano Mall (ten-pin bowling), Shooters Billiards and Bar at Amigo Mall (billiards) and City Sports on Benigno Aquino Ave. (badminton).

A fellowship night is also scheduled tonight at the Iloilo Business Hotel at the Kimwa Complex for all the participants.