Sports Classic!
Good clean fun for the entire family
by Heather Wilson
Winter-Spring 2002


Every May for the past decade, just when it seems the high season’s winding down, the Puerto Vallarta Manzana-AGA International Sports Classic invigorates the town, uplifting the spirits of young and old alike with good clean fun for everyone.

The brainchild of former Olympic basketball champion Howard Kelsey, a Canadian entrepreneur living in Guadalajara, “It promotes a healthy lifestyle by getting kids hooked on sports instead of less admirable pursuits,” he says. “And it gives them great role models they can see live, at no cost. It’s a sports buffet, a giant party on the beach.”

It all started in 1993, when Kelsey, who played 11 years for Canada’s national basketball team, had a lot of buddies eager to visit Mexico and have a tournament on the beach. So he arranged it. They stayed at the Sheraton and played right across the street at the municipal stadium, starting an annual tradition that now involves about 2,000 visitors and locals, many of whom party during the event at Carlos O’Brian’s. “That first year we were short players, so O’Brian’s filled out the teams with their staff. And to this day, along with Christine Club, it’s party central."

Now, 10 years later, more than 2,000 athletes are expected to participate, ranging from former Olympians to local school children. Whether of professional- or recreational-level skill, you can bring your own team or be added to one by the organizers, who place you according to competence.

“This year two divisional teams will be featured – women’s professional volleyball and men’s basketball. About half of the Mexican national team will be playing on different teams in the professional division and NBA veteran and champion Jerome Kersey will attend again.” Last year local university players got to meet him, a dream come true for pro hopefuls.

The kind of people who participate are not glory or status seekers, but play their favorite sport for the sheer joy of it, the thrill of the game, and the empowering camaraderie here. The only money award is for pro-beach volleyball, the others receiving trophies or promotional items. There are now more than 15 sponsors, including McDonald’s and Kelsey’s long-time friends and supporters Javier and Jose Luis Hernandez of Posada Rio Cuale.

Events include men’s and women’s basketball and softball, pro-beach volleyball, aerobics, tennis, 5k and 10k runs, and youth and master’s soccer.

While each sport has its own director, Kelsey and co-chair Gemma Garciarce, owner of the home base Sheraton resort, oversee everything. “The Sheraton is the logical venue for the event, with its ideal location and internationally recognized name. Management goes out of its way to help sports teams and does an excellent job of taking care of guests. The Buenaventura is also very involved and supportive, as is the Holiday Inn.”

The event is carefully timed – just after the hotel rates go down and just before the rainy season – so the weather is perfect and the cost low at just $225 USD per person plus tax and tips for five days and four nights at the Sheraton, double occupancy. Additional nights are $79 USD. The package includes a hat and T-shirt, opening night cocktail party, fireworks display, participation in all the events and free entrance to Christine Club.

“It’s a great package whether you play or not,” says Kelsey. “At the end of the day, it’s a vacation with sports thrown in.”