ASAP to help launch Minda swim program

MANILA, Philippines - Swimming officials of Mindanao and the newly organized Aquatic Sports Association of the Philippines are launching a grassroots program aimed at reliving the glory days of Mindanao swimming legends that have won honors for the country in national and international competitions.

In a meeting with ASAP secretary general Susan Papa, the country’s Asian Games gold medalist three decades ago, Darren Evangelista, regional director for Mindanao Region 11 (Davao City), said the new partnership with ASAP would set in motion the Mindanao swimming program designed to produce champions in the mold of legends Amman Jalmaani, Leroy Goff and Jairullah Jaitullah.

“I am willing to take the task seriously – we want change,” said Evangelista, who noted that no Mindanao grassroots program had taken off the launching pad since the retirement of the Mindanao Asian Gamers and Olympians in the 60s and 70s.

“I’m sure we will be able to develop from the grassroots and come up with champions the likes of Jalmaani, Goff and Jaitullah,” said ASAP president and international lawyer Luz Arzaga-Mendoza. “Mindanao will be alive again.”

As regional director, Evangelista will work hand in hand with ASAP in the conduct of its swimming clinics and schedule of competitions for Mindanao.

“We are promoting swimming all over the country to bring back the glory days of swimming,” said Papa. “Let’s start winning again.”