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 News from Around Banderas Bay | May 2007 
XIV International Sports Classic Underway
 Bob Cohen - PVNN
| | Co-chairs Lic. Gemma Garciarce, owner of the Sheraton Buganvilias Resort and Howard Kelsey, founder, co-chair and ex Canadian basketball star at the start of the press conference. (Bob Cohen/PVNN) | 
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Almost all of Puerto Vallarta's sports venues will be utilized this weekend for the XIV Sidral Aga International Sports Classic, a growing annual event that started in 1993.
Founder and co-chair Howard Kelsey and co-chair Lic. Gemma Garciarce, owner of the Sheraton Buganvilias Resort led a Thursday noon press conference in order to let people know what, where and when the different sports will be played. Sponsors and dignitaries were also introduced.
The highlight of the event has always been the basketball segment, and this year has brought some changes. More youth teams are competing, a girl's competition will be held for the first time, and a Masters division in men's basketball has been created for English speaking players ages 45+ and Mexican players of 40+ years of age. The Open division is the highlight game of the basketball segment.
All basketball games will be played in the Municipal Gym beginning at 8 am on Friday and will continue all day, with a new game beginning each hour as the tournament shapes up into its later rounds.
The Master's final will be played at 6 pm on Saturday, and will have many ex-NBA, Olympic and professional stars that have played in other countries. The Open Final will be played on Sunday at 2 pm, with the other finals preceding this game. In recent years the final has been played at 6 pm, so please note the time change to 2 pm, as the gym will be filled as in previous years.
Tennis started on Monday and has been played at both the Sheraton and Canto Del Sol tennis courts. There are youth divisions, singles and doubles divisions in the A, B, C and D level divisions, as well as a Pro-Am doubles event.
The Pro-Am match can be seen Friday and Saturday night at the Canto Del Sol between 7 pm and 10 pm. The finals for the Pro-Am will be played at the Canto Del Sol Resort on Saturday at 2 pm with all other finals preceding or running concurrent with the Pro-Am finals.
Soccer, or "futbol," has drawn an amazing 112 youth teams from all over Mexico as well as teams from the United States and Canada. Every soccer field in the city is expected to be utilized beginning Friday with the finals scheduled to be played at the Sports Stadium across from the Sheraton on Sunday.
Women's Pro Beach Volleyball will be played Friday through the Sunday finals on the beach next to the Holiday Inn. Ten pro teams will be competing for the championship on Sunday. Different competitions will be held, with continuous play from 10 am to 6 pm on Saturday.
The Aerobics Marathon will be held on Saturday morning at 8 am at the arches at the end of the Malecon. The aerobics marathon has been growing each year, and this year well over 100 participants will compete to see who can last the longest. We expect it will be close to noon before a champion is crowned. Walk down the Malecon and join the crowd in cheering on the competitors.
Bowling will be part of the International Sports Classic for its second year, with the American and Canadian Embassies competing at the Collage Club Bolerama. There will also be an open tournament played. All bowling events are scheduled for Saturday afternoon at 2 pm.
Sunday morning will begin with a 5K run at the Sports Stadium at 8 am and will include a competitive run for those so inclined, as well as a "fun run" for those that don't make it out of the nighttime club action until late. Carlos O'Brian's has been a long time sponsor of the Classic and activities are scheduled at night there as well.
We hope that participants and spectators enjoy the 14th Annual Sidral Aga International Sports Classic. For the first time, competitions will be video taped, and souvenir videos and DVDs will be available for purchase after the event.
Admission is free to all sporting events - and everyone is invited to come join and in the fun. For more information visit Planet-Hoops.com |
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