PAI age-group competition on today

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (PAI) will host the 1st National Age Group Championships (PANAGOC) this weekend at the Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Pool inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila.

The three-day event which starts today, featuring the country’s top junior swimmers including Asian junior gold medalist and record holder Jamesray Mishael Ajido, two-time World Junior Championship campaigner Jasmine Mojdeh, and fellow Asian meet campaigners Aishel Evangelista, Patricia Mae Santor, and Ricielle Maleeka Melencio.

Newly appointed PAI executive director Anthony Reyes said around 700 swimmers from more than 50 teams and swimming clubs nationwide will vie in the biggest local swimming competition since PAI has introduced the national ranking system for all registered members.

The meet format is timed Finals for Class A, B, and C 8-under, 9, 10, 11,12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18-over age groups. The Philippine Sports Commission, the Philippine Olympic Committee, and Speedo sponsor the event.

PAI secretary-general Batangas 1st District Rep. Eric Buhain said a short tribute for the late executive director Francisco “Chito” Rivera will highlight the opening ceremony starting at 8 a.m. The 67-year-old Rivera, varsity swimming head coach of the Jose Rizal University and co-founder of the Congress of Philippine Aquatics (COPA), succumbed to heart attack recently.