PSL chair off to S Africa to raise funds, finalize swim meet

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Swimming League chairman and Consul (a.h.) of Georgia in the Philippines Buddy Cunanan flew to South Africa Friday on a mission: to raise funds and resources for the joint Philippine-South African Humanitarian Mission to Leyte and finalize details of the PSL’s participation in a swimming competition in Cape Town in February 2014.

The joint Philippine–South African Humanitarian Mission to Leyte was organized by the PSL, in cooperation with the Philippine Coast Guard and Rescue Team 926, Inc..

The tournament in Cape Town, which is being hosted by major aquatic associations and schools in the Western Cape, will be a milestone for Philippine amateur swimming.

“This is truly a historic occasion as this will be the first time Filipino tankers will be formally competing in South Africa, perhaps even in the entire African continent,” said  Consul Cunanan. “We wish to thank the Honorary Consul of the Philippines in Cape Town, Steven Chaimowitz, for his invaluable help in coordinating this event.”

The Filipino contingent, which will be composed of boys and girls, aged 10-23 years, will be competing against the strongest swimmers in South Africa.

“Our team will face the best of South Africa. We welcome the challenge and I’m sure our tankers will do us proud,” added Consul Cunanan.

The PSL has already received the official letter of invitation to compete in South Africa and will begin holding qualifying tryouts to determine its lineup.

Meanwhile, the Filipino community in Cape Town has expressed its full support for the PSL and will provide logistical assistance to the group.

“We are so proud to have Filipino swimmers compete in Cape Town, one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and we eagerly await their arrival. We will give them all the help they need,” said Consul Chaimowitz, speaking in behalf of the Filipino community.

The aggressive expansion of PSL’s overseas engagements and network is among the new directions of the PSL board, with the appointment of Consul Cunanan as chairman.

“It is one of our main objectives to reach out to partner organizations in other countries and practice sports diplomacy through athletic excellence. These competitions abroad also give our swimmers and coaches excellent exposure and invaluable experiences,” said PSL president Susan Papa.

“We are very fortunate to tap into Consul Cunanan’s extensive foreign alliances, given his connections in practically every continent. These initiatives are in line with our objective to democratize swimming and free it once and for all from the shackles of corruption and mismanagement,”  she added.

This year alone, the PSL competed in a  number of foreign competitions, including the Universiade in Kazan, Russia and the Singapore International Age-Group Championships.

At the end of November, the PSL will once again match up against the best in the region in the Royal Bangkok Swimming Championships.