MANILA, Philippines - The Diliman Preparatory School Swimming Center is sending its first batch of varsity swimmers to the Singapore Island Club swimming meet set Aug. 5-8 as part of its continuing program for its members.
This is the first varsity team formed by the DPS Swimming Center, barely six months after DPS president and chief executive officer former Sen Nikki Coseteng launched a massive training program right after the Peace and Unity Swim held in the school last December.
“The swimmers are determined and disciplined,” said Philippine Swimming League president Susan Papa, whose coaches run the DPS program. “They swim from 5-7 a.m., then attend their classes and go back for the afternoon swim from 6-8 p.m.”
“The Singapore meet will be a big opportunity for these novice swimmers to test their skills against fellow age groupers from Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Thailand and other countries in the region,” said Papa.
Realizing the importance of swimming as a physical activity, Coseteng worked for the construction of the DPS swimming center, which now consists of three pools.
Swimming is now part of the school curriculum, from prep and nursery, elementary to high school students of the school, which is known for its innovative approach to education.
Coseteng has also envisioned the swimming center to be the future home of Olympians as she partnered with the PSL, whose national coaches now run the DPS program.