PRESS RELEASE – As the popularity of international sporting events continues to grow on Guam, organizers of the Guam International Marathon have announced the formation of a non-profit entity to manage two of Guam’s premier international sporting events.  Guam Sports Events Incorporated, or GSE, has been established with a mission to provide visiting and local athletes with access to premier sports events that showcase the Hafa Adai spirit of Guam’s people and the natural beauty of the island.

GSE will seek to maintain and create sports events that better Guam as both a tourist destination and as a place to live.  As a non-profit entity, GSE will donate all race proceeds to charitable organizations that assist in fulfilling its mission.

GSE will immediately take over management of the Guam International Marathon and the Tour of Guam.  The Guam International Marathon, held this past April broke international participation records with over 1,400 runners from overseas visiting Guam to take part in the event.

The recently established cycling event, the Tour of Guam will be held on November 23^rd and like the Guam International Marathon will seek to attract international participation while providing Guam residents with a premier cycling event.

GSE board members include Ben Ferguson, Event Director of the Guam International Marathon and the Tour of Guam ; Karl Pangelinan, General Manager of the Guam Visitors Bureau, and Sam Shinohara, Director of Business Development for Asia Pacific for United.  The board will oversee all operations of the Guam International Marathon and the Tour of Guam.

While there are no immediate plans to add additional sporting events to the GSE event portfolio, board member Ben Ferguson feels that over time, there will be a natural inclination to look at other opportunities;

“The success of recent events like the Guam International Marathon indicate that there is a viable overseas market for these types of  events on Guam.  Guam’s close proximity to Japan and Korea provide Guam with a distinct advantage when marketing sporting events to athletes in those countries.”

PHOTO GALLERY:

The Guam Sports Events logo officially unveiled. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

GVB’s Karl Pangelinan and Ben Ferguson prepare to present the new logo. (photo by Robert Balajadia)