Gold Coast in running to host an array of sport events after summit next year

THE Gold Coast is in the running to secure a pipeline of international sporting events when the city hosts the world’s largest convention for global tournaments.

THE Gold Coast is in the box seat for securing a pipeline of international sports events when it hosts the world’s biggest convention for global tournaments, organisers say.

SportAccord, the world’s largest sport and business summit, is coming to Broadbeach for May 5-10, next year.

It will bring 1500 to 200 delegates from 500 sports federations and event rights holders.

Some of the biggest players in world sport take part — including governing bodies for football, swimming, cricket, triathlon, tennis and the International Olympic Committee.

Vice President of GAISF, Stephan Fox, on the Gold Coast looking at facilities and opportunities. Picture Glenn Hampson.

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Sponsors and commercial partners also descend for it.

SportAccord managing director Nis Hatt, on the Gold Coast this week for pre-planning, told the Bulletin the host city and country has an advantage for securing events rights.

“If you look at Australia as a country, a country that is a sporting nation that really embraces and loves sport, it’s a phenomenal opportunity.

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“I’m 100 per cent convinced you will see a lot of (people) from other Australian states coming in to take advantage of this,” Mr Hatt said.

Vice President of GAISF, Stephan Fox, with Managing Director of SportAccord, Nis Hatt, on the Gold Coast looking at facilities and opportunities. Picture Glenn Hampson.

Mr Hatt has been accompanied on the advance visit by SportAccord’s associated Global Association of International Sports Federations vice president Stefan Fox.

Mr Fox, a former world Muay Thai champion who lived in Queensland for a decade in the 1990s, said: “This is really an opportunity to promote the Gold Coast and region with its amazing facilities you have now — plus the climate, the culture — and promote to other sports to bring their events here.”

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Mr Fox also revealed an associated global sports festival would be staged on the Broadbeach beachfront throughout the SportAccord summit.

It would have a main stage to showcase various codes, feature a “combat zone” showcasing martial arts and bloodsports such as Muay Thai plus an area for “dance sports” including cheerleading.

A push from Tourism and Events Queensland, Tourism Australia, Gold Coast City Council and Destination Gold Coast helped secure what will be SportAccord’s 17th convention for the Gold Coast.

Queensland Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones led a delegation to SportAccord’s 16th summit in Bangkok earlier this year to pitch for the event a day after the Commonwealth Games finished.

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State Government and the Federal Coalition both stumped up six figures each in funding for the bid.

SportAccord president Patrick Baumann said at the time the success of the Gold Coast’s Games played a major part in securing the summit.

“It will help mark the one-year anniversary of the delivery of a successful Commonwealth Games and will provide the chance for our delegates to embrace all the qualities and opportunities the Gold Coast and Queensland has to offer,” he said.