Air Asia.com backs young tankers

MANILA, Philippines - Air Asia.com has extended its full support to the Philippine Swimming League circuit by granting 40 non-revenue, two-way airfare tickets to enable National Capital Region and other swimmers to compete in the first Mayor Edward Hagedorn age group championships this weekend in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

Kit Maluya and Rufino Fermin of Air Asia.com personally handed the two-way tickets to PSL president Susan Papa in support of the grassroots development of the PSL, which undertakes monthly competitions outside Manila as part of its continuing program on the grassroots level.

The city government of Puerto Princesa, through Antonio Reyes and head coach Danny Egot, has also thrown support to the event, one of national and international sports events Mayor Hagedorn has encouraged to be staged in his city to promote the natural beauty of Puerto Princesa to the country and the world.

Hagedorn personally worked for the nomination of the Palawan Underwater Caves, one of the world’s longest underground rivers, as one of the wonders of nature, and is at the forefront of an all-out campaign to make Puerto Princesa the sports capital of the Philippines.

Over 200 swimmers have confirmed participation in the swimming challenge, 23rd leg of the PSL circuit supported by Diliman Preparatory School president and former Sen. Nikki Coseteng, who will grace the event along with Aquatic Sports Association of the Philippines president, lawyer Ma. Luz Arzaga-Mendoza.

Swimmers will come from Southern Tagalog, Quezon City, Caloocan, Las Piñas, Navotas, Pasay, Antipolo, Parañaque and as far as Davao, Baguio and Bicol.

“We will challenge them to aim for the Quadruple A American motivational standard, the basic norm they must reach on the club level,” said Papa, who added that winners will receive gold, silver and bronze medals according to ages from five years and under, six-under and 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-17, and 18 and over.

The most outstanding swimmer from each age group will receive trophies.