By Audley Boyd, Assistant Sport EditorRIO DE JANEIRO:
BRAZILIAN CITY Rio de Janeiro moved confidently out of the blocks in its run towards hosting the 2007 Pan American Games with the launch of the first Pan American Sports and Business Congress and Rio Pan Am Expo yesterday.
The two events, which are running side by side at the same facility, are the initial official forums for the regional sports showcase, which is held every four years.
"This is probably the most important project that this country has made at the social level," said Brazil Olympic Association (BOA) president Carlos Arthur Nuzman.
The announcement was made in an auditorium packed with the state's governor, several government ministers and leading sporting and tourism officials from not only Brazil, but the other 41 member nations of the Pan American Sports Organisation (PASO).
He expressed 'confidence' that the three-day event at RioCentro in Rio de Janeiro "will be highly important in the years to come."
Nuzman added: "When we proposed to host these events, we were aware of the huge exchange and business potential sports has to offer in several business segments, either directly or indirectly related to it.
"Therefore, the opportunity to join in the same venue all the top experts in sports marketing is a beautiful occasion to show the Americas and the world how big the sports universe really is, as well as the countless possibilities of investment it can provide.
MARACANA STADIUM
"Already, construction has begun on a number of facilities including renovation of the famed Maracana Stadium where the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as semi-finals and finals of the Games' football tournament will be held."
In his role as vice-president of PASO, Jamaica Olympic Association president Mike Fennell (JOA), called the congress 'a wonderful initiative'
"This is the sort of vision we must respect in our region. This comes on top of the successful Pan Am Games in Santo Domingo this year. They (BOA) have given a lot of time and expense. Social and political changes in the world are influencing political leaders to understand more the role of sports - and the role it can play in development," Fennell said.
With regards to the relationship between this congress and Jamaica Fennell said: "The significance to us in Jamaica is that we've been talking about sports and tourism and trying to find how we can develop ways to make it work. Hopefully we can get some guidance and direction from this. For a large number of the countries here tourism is not just about making money, it's about creating employment. Sports provides a major attraction that can enhance the tourism product," he stated.
"Fennell also issued a challenge to Caribbean representatives present, saying: "There are a lot of benefits to be derived - we can learn a lot and also have an input."
