Philippine aquatics chief optimistic on grassroots development
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Aquatics Inc. (PAI) continues to gain momentum in its nationwide grassroots and elite development program as it strengthens its campaign to produce world-class swimmers and athletes in all aquatic disciplines.
PAI Secretary General Eric Buhain said the association’s holistic development program is now bearing fruit, thanks to the aggressive implementation of regional initiatives that include coaching and training activities, learn-to-swim programs, and a series of competitions aimed at discovering and developing future talents.
“We are focusing on the continuity of our program from the regional level up to the national level. We congratulate our regional directors who were reelected because they will continue guiding our swimmers not only to win competitions but also to improve their performance times,” said Buhain during the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports Inc. (TOPS) “Usapang Sports” forum on Thursday at the PSC Conference Room.
Buhain said the overwhelming turnout of participants during last month’s National Tryouts for the selection of the Philippine team to the 40th Southeast Asian Age Group Championships and the 20th Asian Age Group Championships highlighted the growing competitiveness of local swimming.
A total of 1,100 athletes joined the tryouts, a remarkable number considering all participants were medalists in their respective regional championships.
“The level of competition in the national tryouts was truly intense because these swimmers are the best from their regions,” said Buhain, who, along with PAI president Miko Vargas, recently received a fresh mandate during the association’s elections last March.
Using the bronze medal benchmark from the previous age-group championships as the qualifying standard, PAI selected 24 swimmers for the Southeast Asian Age Group Championships in Malaysia, while 20 swimmers earned slots for the Asian Age Group Championships in Bangkok, Thailand.
Buhain added that the country is also planning to field teams in water polo, diving, artistic swimming, and open water swimming.
“Many people think aquatics is only about regular swimming, but aquatics actually consists of five disciplines. That’s why we are aggressively strengthening our programs to become competitive in all areas,” Buhain said.
The Philippines is also set to host the 4th Southeast Asian Open Water Swimming Championships from August 21-23 at the Boracay New Coast in Aklan. Medalists and qualifiers from the national tryouts scheduled from June 5-7 at the same venue will compose the national team for the event.
Buhain also emphasized that PAI is focused on forming a highly competitive squad for the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan from September 19 to October 4.
The six gold medalists from last year’s Southeast Asian Games, led by Olympian Kayla Sanchez, are currently seeded into the national team. However, Buhain stressed that their spots are not guaranteed should other swimmers surpass their SEA Games performances during the national tryouts slated on June 19-21 at the Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Center.
“So it’s better to participate in the tryouts because that’s where you can truly test your performance level,” Buhain said.
He added that the tryouts are open even to Filipino swimmers based abroad. (Pool story)
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