MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Swimming League, the national sports association for swimming of the FISU-Universiade-recognized Federation of School Sports Associations of the Philippines (FESSA), is holding a two-in-one swimming competition – indoor and open water – April 26-27 in Aklan and Boracay Island.
The PSL will hold the 56th PSL Series dubbed first Ted Haresco Jr. Swimming Cup on April 26 at the Aklan Sports Complex and an open water swim in coordination with the Red Cross Boracay Malay Chapter on April 27.
The competition is hosted by the Aklan Swim Team headed by Kokoy Soguilon. PSL president Susan Papa also met with the Red Cross Boracay Malay Chapter to handle the logistics of the open water competition.
Following the desire of its chairman Nieva Mendoza to have more Aklanons participate in the open water competition, Papa volunteered to visit the Red Cross training venue of the young swimmers from Aklan.
“With the assistance of PSL, we are now aiming, from the initial goal of 2,000 children, to reach thrice the number that will learn how to swim, who in the future can save lives of others as well...so that others may live and be aware,†Mendoza said.
The joint cooperation between PRC Boracay Malay Chapter and PSL will promote sports tourism in the No. 1 tourist destination in the country, Papa said.
“Think and dream big.. we start with baby steps one kid at a time to make a difference in the lives of our future generations,†Elena Tosco Brugge, chairperson of PRC youth Boracay-Malay chapter, said.
“PSL is glad more young kids are involved in swimming; our main objective is to have a healthy citizenry and help more kids gain scholarships,†Papa said.
The Red Cross is now conducting massive tryouts for the hundreds of young Aklanons in preparation for the open sea water to be held in Station 2.
The PSL is the only sports association with the longest grassroots development program for swimming in the country.