Omar Ebdane Cup slated in Iba Dec. 28

MANILA, Philippines -  Rep. Omar Ebdane is hosting the first Rep. Omar Ebdane Swim Cup, 36th leg of the PSL Swim League Series, Dec. 28 at Iba, Zambales.

PSL president Susan Papa said Rep. Ebdane is putting emphasis on sports tourism as a growth area for his district while giving the youth of Zambales a venue to excel in sports and encouraging Zambalenos to participate in its physical fitness program.

Ebdane, a former provincial administrator, also supervises and manages community programs and projects related to indigent residents as well as the youth and sports development office in line with efforts to promote youth welfare and athletic events in the coastal province.

The competition is organized by the PSL with the support of Rolly de la Cruz.

Papa said the competition is the last leg for the year, with the 2013 series to start early January, with concentration on short course events.

“PSL has a total of 19 competitions this year (2012) including NCR and other regionals not to mention the six international meets participated in by selected swimmers who brought home prestige and honor with their medals and team trophies,” said Papa. “Indeed, it was a very fruitful and positive year for PSL.”

Participants from Mindoro, Quezon province, Sta. Rosa, Batangas and Lipa, Bicol, Caloocan, Cavite, Muntinlupa, Las Piñas, Bulacan, Baguio, Isabela, Davao and Parañaque will be joined by invited swimmers based in the US and Vietnam.

Victory Liner pledged its support to the competition as official carrier. It will ferret selected swimmers and officials from NCR to Zambales.

As national university swimming association accredited by the Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines (FESSAP), Papa said the PSL would expand its international participation to nine competitions in 2013. Top of the list is the Universiade, the Olympics for colleges and universities, in Kazan, Russia, in July.