By Edwin Rollon
OVER 300 swimmers from invited schools, member clubs, and local government units (LGUs) in the Southern Tagalog region are set to join in the Philippine Aquatics Inc. (PAI)-organized Congressman Eric Buhain Cup on Saturday, March 15, at the newly built Balayan Aquatics Center in Brgy. Caloocan, Balayan, Batangas.
The one-day event, in partnership with the Southern Tagalog Amateur Swimming Association (STASA) and Speedo, is part of PAI’s relentless effort to identify talent and strengthen the grassroots sports program in the provinces.
Registration is free.
“The event culminates with a short program for the groundbreaking for the extension and improvement of the swimming pool. Kailangan ayusin natin itong facility para hindi lang taga-Balayan, o taga-Batangas bagkus para sa buong Pilipinas magamit itong ating mga batang swimmers,” said PAI Secretary General Batangas 1st District Rep. Eric Buhain.
"Nakakataba po ng puso Ang dami ng inaasahan natin na dadagsa sa acting munting paligsahan, na malaki naman ang magiging ambag hindi lang sa pagpapaunlad ng ating programa para sa kabataan sa palakasan ng swimming. Ngayon pa lang ang aming taus-pusong pasasalamat sa suporta."
Buhain insisted on the need for more tournaments to cater to the growing numbers of young athletes who turned, and "returned" to swimming as a testament of trust and confidence to PAI leadership since their assumption along with president Miko Vargas.
"Panahon na, ipakita natin natin ang tunay na potensyal ng swimming sa ating bayan, sa lahat ng sulok ng bansa. Olympics, you're next!"
“All 17 regional members are hosting tournaments monthly. On our side, PAI embarked on a series of events in both short and long courses on our calendar. We need to sustain the effort of our young swimmers to excel and make it to the National Training Pool,” said Buhain.
Buhain added that PAI prioritizes the coaches' development with the scheduled seminars on March 24-25 at the Orchid Garden Hotel with no less than Olympic coach Derric Schoof of Canada as speaker.
PAI Executive Director Anthony Reyes said that part of the seminar is the interaction of Schoof and his protegee Kyla Sanchez with selected members of the national training pool and junior swimmers.
“Schoof was coach of Kyla (Sanchez) when she was part of the Canada Team that won Olympic relay medal. Maraming matutunan ang ating mga local coaches and iba ang dating sa ating mga batang swimmers kung magkakaroon sila ng interaction with Kyla,” said Reyes.
Reyes said PAI also conducted a Lifesaving/Emergency Care Seminar on February 22-23 and March 1-2 to create awareness and teach the benefits of swimming not just as a sport but also as a way to save lives.
