“…For the above-mentioned reason, Trueman et al (2004) postulate that stakeholder collaborations through effective partnerships can be achieved through the context of sport and, in particular, the sport events, for destination-brand-related benefits. Paskaleva-Shapira (2007) further posits that partnerships between the private and public sectors, for instance, are considered effective means of achieving destination competitiveness, as a result of the multiplicity of industries (both sport and tourism) involved in creating and sustaining destinations' competitiveness (also see Nyikana & Tichaawa, 2018b;Ilieș et al, 2016;Ilieș et al, 2018). What is more, the importance of pre-and post-event stakeholder engagement through sport event leveraging, especially in terms of building local brand awareness and preparedness, as well as through establishing networks and linkages among key stakeholders who might benefit not only the event, but also the destination brand, is advocated (Munien & Majola, 2012).…”