Coseteng Cup serves as Universiade qualifier

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Swimming League, an age-group meet for five-to-19-year-olds, will stage the 33rd Leg Series of the third Sen. Nikki Coseteng Swimming Championship unfolding Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Organizers headed by Coseteng and PSL president Susan Papa said they will use this event as the final selection for college participants for the team they will send to the 2013 Universiade slated in July next year in Kazan, Russia.

“The PSL is open to everyone and there is no membership requirement and it is open to all swimmers, schools, teams and clubs regardless of their affiliations,” said Coseteng in yesterday’s media briefing in Makati City.

The Universiade is an international sporting and cultural festival similar to the Olympics only it involves student athletes from all over the world competing in both academic and athletic levels.

“The Senator (Coseteng) wants a level-playing field and swim for all competitions, she wants to give opportunity to every swimmers,” said Papa.

She also announced that the PSL is the national federation for the Federation Internationale Sports University.

“The PSL’s main goal is to help the country discover talents for intermational competitions,” she added.

Trophies and medals will be awarded to swimmers who will break the most number of records in each age group category while huge Jade-designed team championship trophies will be awarded to the first three teams that will garner the most number of points.

A total of 24 individual events for both male and female are on tap with over 500 swimmers, headed by Mark Dula from Samar, the youngest participant, UAAP champion Claire Adorna of University of the Philippines and Gian Berino, participating.

Opening ceremony will be performed by the Diliman Preparatory School Drum and Bugle Corps.