PSL sends lone athlete to World School Games

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Swimming League is sending its novice swimmer Paul Jerome Carpio to participate in the World School Games set July 20-25 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Carpio, a former high school varsity basketball player who took up swimming seven months ago, will be the lone swimming representative of the PSL in the inaugural championship, an Olympic-style athletic and cultural competition for kids 17 years old and under, which has drawn over 300 students from across the US and 16 countries.

The biennial competition, which offers swimming, athletics, basketball and volleyball in its inaugural calendar, is staged by the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission.

“Paul experienced disappointment in the field of swimming and therefore I have to motivate him to keep on fighting as there is life after swimming,” said PSL president Susan Papa of his protégé, who was one of Filipino swimmers who were refused participation in a Sabah meet recently by the swimming association because of his affiliation with PSL.

The trauma from the incident, for which a case of child harassment has been filed by the parents with the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office, has prompted the minor to quit swimming.

After the World School Games, which is open to individuals and teams from a club or school, Carpio will shift back to basketball.

 He had competed in age group competitions locally and in Thailand, Malaysia and Australia.

“I wish to thank coach Susan (Papa) for training me to be a swimmer,” said Carpio, whose participation in the World School Games is funded by the PSL and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission under chairman Harry Angping.

“This competition not only will develop an athlete and expose him to tough competition against international athletes in an Olympic-style atmosphere but the social and cultural events that are part of the Games will also provide a platform for cultural exchange as well,” Papa, a former Olympian and Asian Gamer, said.

“I want to promote swimming and that is my mission, because it is swimming where Paul and all other young boys and girls his age can develop and strengthen their character.

“It will be a great experience for him. My brother, Jun Papa, a former basketball superstar, started with swimming, too. I pray to see Paul a great basketball player in the future,” said Papa.