Swimming events start Jan. 15

THE Aquatics Sports Association of the Philippines (Asap) will be busier this year with lots of various competitions and seminars for coaches, according to Region 11 president Darren Evangelista of the Evangelista Aquatics and Sports Management Inc. (EASMI).
“2010 will be a busy year with monthly local competitions to start Jan. 15 and 23, culminating in a championship in December,” Evangelista said.
The competitions will all be for free – no registration or entry fees. The calendar for the year is fully booked already in ASAP.
ASAP is also setting up a different swimming format in the newly-formed Philippine Swimming League which will be competitive, yet educational.
In Davao, ASAP will be organizing the Araw ng Dabaw Invitational swimming competition in March.
Meanwhile, 30 members of the Susan Papa Academy will compete in the Malaysian meet slated Feb. 4-6, but Papa said slots will be open to those who wish to join.
The Malaysian hosts have offered free accommodation, courtesy of coach Dennis Cordero who had established relations with his Malaysian counterparts.
Papa, the former Asian Gamer turned ASAP secretary-general, will also be sending five Filipino coaches who will undergo training under Russian coaches invited to conduct the clinics.
Other international seminars are the World Swimming Coaches Association Gold Medal Clinic 2010, the American Swimming Coaches Association and the World Clinic in Indianapolis, USA – all slated Aug. 31-Sept. 5.
ASAP made huge strides in its grassroots development program with its nationwide clinics and participation in local and international competitions and vows to keep its program in motion during the year buoyed up by the enthusiastic response of member clubs.
ASAP was founded barely last July in response to parents’ need for a regular, coordinated training program for young, aspiring swimmers. It had accomplished more than what it was tasked to do during the last six months.
ASAP had sent young swimmers to four international competitions – in Australia, Singapore, Taiwan and Bangkok.
ASAP conducted two free competitions – both at the Rizal Memorial swimming pool – to give students, particularly those from public schools, the rare chance to test their mettle in competition. More than 500 had competed in each of the two events which were backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, Rotary Club of Manila Remedios Circle, Growee and the City of Manila.
The league had also conducted two coaches’ seminars, one in Davao and the other in Manila with no less than renowned Canada-based Filipino coach Wilfredo Arzaga as main lecturer.
The league had also visited the provinces of Bohol, Davao and Batangas and will touch base with other provinces in 2010 as part of its outreach program.
Aside from EASMI, the other big supporters of ASAP are Theresa Alvarez, former producer of Battle of the Brains, Darren Evangelista from the Evangelista Aquatic Sports Management in Davao, Growee, the Aquatic Sprint School of Manny Thruelen and Dr. Vicky Santos, who provides treatment for swimmers.
ASAP has received the full support of the Philippine Sports Commission under chairman Harry Angping, who made the Rizal Memorial swimming pool accessible to ASAP competitions.
Papa said they would also be counting on other institutions which are into gassroots development like the Elorde Sports Center as possible permanent venues for its swimming program. [pr]