THE 2012 Guam Masters Games opening ceremony is scheduled to take place on Sunday, Sept. 9 with the closing ceremony on Sunday, Sept. 16 at the Leo Palace Resort.

The inaugural Guam Masters Games will host 10 sports, with various age divisions within each sport. Leo Palace Resort has been selected as the sports village for the 2012 games, where golf, baseball and softball finals, grappling and track and field competitions will take place.

Running will take place with a half marathon from Gov. Joseph Flores Memorial Beach Park to Harley Davidson in Piti and back. Basketball and table tennis will be played in nearby villages at various locations, while tennis matches will be at the Hilton Guam Resort and Spa tennis courts. Paddling will take place at the Hagåtña Boat Basin. The 2012 Guam Masters Games have received support for a successful event.

Gov. Eddie Calvo and Lt. Gov. Ray Tenorio have expressed their support for the 2012 Guam Master Games.

“This is a great initiative that will give Guam’s athletes an
opportunity to strengthen their skills, nurture their talents and build a spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie with one another,” Calvo said.

First lady Christine Calvo has also relayed her support: “I’m proud to support initiatives like the Guam Masters Games 2012. Let’s work together to make this event a success.”

For her part, Guam Visitors Bureau General Manager Joann Camacho said: “It is with great pleasure that we express our support for the 2012 Guam Masters Games this September. We thank you for your dedication to the development of sports tourism on Guam and look forward to further developing Guam’s sports tourism as a tool to promote Guam to our visitors while also encouraging the development of Guam’s local athletes.”

University of Guam Athletics and Field House Director Bob Pekley “congratulates Tropical Productions for taking the initiative to organize the Guam Masters Game 2012. I applaud all the sponsors for their financial support in making these games possible.”

The 2012 Guam Masters Games expects to reach a limit with athletes and teams. Event organizers encourage all interested to register immediately once the fields are opened. Registration period has already started and will officially close on July 31.

According to EJ Calvo, managing director of the games, “The Guam Masters Games will grow each year into one of Guam’s largest annual sports events in the region, with participants coming from all over Asia and the Pacific, and new sports being added in the future.”

(Information obtained from a press release.)