Busy year for Phl Swimming League

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Swimming League continues its successful grassroots program with another busy schedule this year starting with the first UP Varsity Team sprint meet on Jan. 22 at the Diliman Preparatory School on Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City.

PSL president Susan Papa said the event, organized by UP head coach Noel Rivera, ushers in the 12-leg PSL Circuit which kicks off seven days later, on Jan. 29, at the 50-meter pool of the Amoranto Sports Complex in Quezon City.

Host of the competition, the 19th leg on the PSL calendar which got underway over a year ago, is coach Ed Galeno.

The circuit, which has the full support of sports patron and former Sen. Nikki Coseteng, shifts Feb. 12 to typhoon-struck Cagayan de Oro where the players and officials will also take time off to donate clothes and goods to victims of the recent tragedy.

“Those who would like to help in the nationwide disaster effort can donate through the PSL, which will distribute them in the disaster areas,” said Papa.

A week later, the PSL holds the 20th leg in Lucena, with Gov. David “Jayjay” Suarez as host and coach Virgilio de Luna as local coordinator.

The 21st leg is slated March 10-11 in the 10-lane Bosay Swimming pool in Antipolo, with coach Emer Matienzo as host.

The next month, coach Buddy Maulion is hosting the 22nd leg to be held April 14 in Calapan, Mindoro.

The PSL Circuit takes a break in May to hold the PSL National Open May 19-20 at the Rizal Memorial pool. It will hold the annual summer learn-to-swim program at the DPS on June 3. The project is a brainchild of DPS president and former Sen. Nikki Coseteng.

The circuit resumes June 10 with the PSL short course competition in Cavite, with coach Junneth Abesamis as host.

Another regional meet will be held in Cagayan de Oro on June 23, with different teams in Mindanao competing.

Other legs on the PSL calendar are the 25th leg July 22 in Pasay (host coach Nunilon), 27th leg Sept. 16 at DPS with the Philippine Swimming Coaches Association as host, the 28th leg Oct. 28 in Cavite (host Sea Beast Swim team coach Noy Fileteo), and the 29th leg Nov. 17-18 at DPS.

Papa said the PSL will, for the first time, hold international competitions this year, with initial participants to come from Singapore, Bangkok, Phuket, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Malaysia.

“We are starting our international events this year to give young boys and girls a feel of international competition at an early age with minimal cost to their parents,” said Papa.

Papa said the PSL is holding the international meets on a reciprocal basis, in return for the invitation the foreign clubs had extended to the PSL during the last five years.

At the same time, Papa said Filipino swimmers will now have the chance to train under coaches and clubs of their choice and may compete in any of the PSL meets regardless of whether they are PSL members or not.

 “The PSL adheres to the Sports For All policy of government, and in line with this, we encourage swimmers and would-be swimmers to become the best they want to be through our free-membership programs,” she said.

Papa, a former Olympian and Asian Games medalist, added that the PSL will also be busy with its street children outreach program during the entire year.

“The swimmers we will recruit from the street children program will be a big revelation. Watch out for these kids, you’ll be amazed,” she said.