Stars of yore pledge support to RP swimming

MANILA, Philippines - Two veteran swimmers pledged their support yesterday as the Philippine Swimming League announced plans to train swimmers in the US to prepare them for international competitions.

PSL president Susan Papa got the assurance of balikbayan swimmers Serafin Villarete and Sonia Papa, both in their 50s, and former collegiate stars who trained in the US.

“We will be seeking the help of Fil-Americans who are former national and varsity swimmers to set up a system of training for swimmers in the Philippines and, eventually, the US,” said Villarete, a physical education graduate of Long Beach State University and long-time coach of an American secondary school and swimming club in Sta. Maria, California.

Sonia Papa comes from a family of swimmers which include Susan and Alexander , both former varsity swimmers of the University of the East. Susan and her brother Rolando were on the RP swimming team to the 1966 Bangkok Asian Games while Jun Papa, also a former swimmer, joined the RP basketball team. Their parents Emiliana and Adriano were also former swimmers.

All four were trained in the US where they settled before coming back to the Philippines. Susan and Alex set up a swimming academy here upon their retirement.

“Many Fil-Americans who learned about our program are keeping in touch with us to know how they can help,” said Papa, who said Fil-Americans based in the US will be invited to provide swimming clinics for coaches and swimmers as part of the initial effort to get the program off the ground.

The PSL has been gaining ground in the Philippines with its regular monthly competitions, the first in the country, and its participation in inter-club tournaments in Southeast Asia.

“Training in the US will be the logical next step in this program,” said Papa. “Our veteran swimmers are eager to help because they want us to win again in the Asian Games.”