International Sports Classic VIII
By Joy Eckel
spring-summer 2001

The end of May in Vallarta is the time sports enthusiasts eagerly await. The four-day International Sports Classic held during this time every year has something for everyone, so be sure to mark your calendar for May 25-28.

This annual event had its humble beginnings eight years ago, when Howard Kelsey, a produce importer/exporter in Guadalajara, held a basketball tournament here for friends. Kelsey, who had played on the 1980 and 1984 Olympic teams, recalls, "A lot of my friends are basketball junkies. They phoned and said, 'We want to go to Mexico for our vacation, but we want to play. Set up a tournament.' So we did. We started on an outdoor court in 1992 – there was no gym floor then – with six teams. We actually had to go to Carlos O'Brian's and haul folks out to round out the roster for six teams.”

Over the years, the event has grown phenomenally. This year, the tournament will include eight sports, more than 2,000 participants (the newest coming from Bulgaria) and 25 sponsors. Kelsey and co-chair Gemma Garciarce, the owner of the Sheraton – home base for the event – are the coordinators, but each sport has its own director.

Besides basketball, there will be softball, soccer, tennis, an aerobics marathon, a 7k run, women's professional beach volleyball and spinning – the newest addition. The basketball, softball and soccer games will be held at the Municipal Stadium across from the Sheraton (Unidad Deportiva Agustin Flores Contreras); however, the tennis tournaments will be held at both the Sheraton and Presidente Intercontinental hotels, the aerobics marathon and spinning demonstration will be held at the Los Arcos Amphitheater, the 7k run will cover the area between the Sheraton and the Holiday Inn, and the women’s volleyball games will be held on the beach in front of the Sheraton and the Blue Bay Getaway.

Not only is the tournament a great sporting event, it’s also a great way to get a fabulous vacation deal. For only $210 USD per person double occupancy (plus tax and tips), participants also get five days and four nights at the Sheraton, a treat in itself. Kelsey attributes the continuing success of the event to Puerto Vallarta, “To me, Vallarta is the most rustic and attractive destination in Mexico. It combines old Mexico with great beaches and is a safe and intimate enough destination that any tourist will love it”.
For more information, please call 226-0404.