On May 31, the San Francisco 49ers and Los Cabos Tourism Trust joined forces in hosting an outstanding children’s sports clinic at The Bicentennial American Football Stadium within the Don Koll Sports Complex. One hundred and fifteen children between the ages of 9 and 18 participated in the all-day event.
Special guests in attendance to lead the youngsters were Patrick Willis and Diana Flores. Willis is a former linebacker and NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame member who achieved the honor after his successful career with the San Francisco 49ers. Flores, of course, is the Mexican flag football women’s world champion quarterback for Mexico, who first appeared on the world stage with her halftime Super Bowl commercial, where she escapes from everyone trying to grab her flags and stop her.
The “Day with the 49ers” clinic helped to showcase the work of the Tourism Trust which provides unique and beneficial opportunities for our local community. Sofy Navarro, Senior Manager of 49ers EDU, and Diana Flores, Los Cabos Brand Ambassador and Flag Football World Champion, shared their experience, offering inspiration and knowledge to every young and excited participant.
“Life is about connection, and there is no better connection than the one California has with the 49ers and Mexico. It is always wonderful to spend time here and I plan to return very soon and more often,” said Patrick Willis.
In her speech, Sofy Navarro added “As a woman with a Mexican heritage, it is an honor to be able to represent the 49ers at an event in Los Cabos, to promote not only sports and American football, but also local communities. We are delighted, and we are excited to have expanded the reach of football while promoting community development and providing enriching opportunities for the residents of Los Cabos,” said Navarro.
Diana Flores added that the event was, “more than an alliance. It is the collaboration of Los Cabos and the 49ers as an opportunity to change lives through sports. Today, more than ever, we find ourselves in an important moment to continue building bridges and tools for our following generations, encouraging them to achieve their dreams on and off the field. I am very proud that Los Cabos has made this type of effort with purpose, with an objective that, beyond creating ties between two cultures, we truly seek and continue working for change.”
This clinic reaffirms the Los Cabos Tourism Trust’s commitment to inclusion and diversity, uniting sports enthusiasts and their families in a positive and healthy environment. Furthermore, this collaboration played a crucial role in Los Cabos’ strategic objectives of increasing tourist flow and strengthening its position with the U.S. market, especially with the California City of San Francisco and the Greater Bay Area, which includes the cities of Oakland, San Jose, and Santa Clara.
“Establishing strategic alliances with entities that share our vision of promoting health and well-being is essential to consolidate our position as a leading destination,” said Rodrigo Esponda, general director of the Los Cabos Tourism Trust (FITURCA).
“Los Cabos is a place where athletes can come to revitalize, heal and find their own path to wellness. We are committed to ensuring that our initiatives benefit the local community, which relies heavily on tourism. This clinic is an example of how our efforts can offer unique and beneficial opportunities to the residents of this beautiful place.”
With an average of 26 direct weekly flights from San Francisco, Los Cabos is just a three-hour flight from the city located in Northern California, making it a preferred destination for Bay Area residents. From January to March of this year, Los Cabos welcomed 41,350 tourists from San Francisco, which represented an increase of 35.9% compared to the same period in 2023. Currently, California represents 23.6% of visitors who arrive in Los Cabos. This close collaboration with the 49ers was a key factor in making Los Cabos a favorite destination for residents of California and San Francisco.
The San Francisco 49ers, owned by the York family, currently play in the NFC West division and have won five Super Bowl Vince Lombardi Championship trophies, in 1982, 1985, 1989, 1990, and 1995. The franchise also has eight conference championships and 22 division championships and was the first major league professional sports team to establish itself in San Francisco more than 75 years ago. Visit 49ers.com and/or follow the 49ers on Facebook or X (Twitter) @49ers. The popularity of American-style football has never been greater in Mexico.
