“ONLINE FREE NATIONAL TRYOUTS PARA SA SEAG SWIMMERS”- BUHAIN

MAS maraming Eric Buhain at Akiko Thompson sa 30th Southeast Asian Games, mas maka­bubuti sa kampanya ng Team Philippines sa biennial meet.

Ito ang hangarin na nais maisakatuparan ng mga opisyal ng Philippine Swimming Inc. (PSI), sa pangu­nguna ni SEAG multi-titled at Olympian Eric Buhain sa isasaga­wang National Open tryouts. Nakatakda ang SEA Games sa Nob. 30- Dis. 11 sa Manila, Subic at Clark Freeport.

“We have to get the best swimmers to represent the country in the SEA Games. Magagawa natin ito sa open tryouts,” pahayag ni Buhain sa pagbisita kasama si National coach Pinky Brosas at SEAG Chef De Mission Monsour del Rosa­rio sa ‘Usapang Sports’ ng Tabloid Organization in Philippine Sports (TOPS) sa National Press Club sa Intra­muros, Manila.

“The (SEA Games) clock is ticking. We have to come together and work together to bring the best for the country,” ayon kay Buhain.

Aniya, bukas na ang Philippine Swimming Inc. web­site, gayundin ang Facebook account kung saan puwedeng magpalis­ta ang lahat ng Pinoy swimmers at foreign-breed Pinoy, gayundin ang coaches at trainors ng lahat ng swimming club at association sa bansa. “Libre po ang pagpapa­lista. Wala pong bayad. Starting today, tatanggap na po kami ng mga apli­kasyon ng mga nais mag-try outs. By February or March, maisasagawa na natin ito so we can form the National Team,” paha­yag ni Buhain.

Kaagad sisimulan ang ensayo sakaling mapili na ang ‘deserving swimmers’ sa National Team. “At least by September, nasa second phase na ‘yung pre­pa­ration natin,” sambit ni Brosas. “But we have to get our acts together now. And we will do it starting today by launching an online registration for interested swimmers and coaches all over the country regardless of affiliation to join our group,” ani Buhain, kinatawan ang bansa sa 1998 Seoul Olympics at 1992 Barcelona Olympics. “From there, we will schedule a series of qualifying competitions under the best coaches to ensure that we will only field the best swimmers in the SEA Games,” aniya.

Maging ang swimmers sa Mindanao ay kanilang iniim­bitahan na makiisa sa National tryouts.

“In Basilan, there are young and tall swimmers who can be trained extensively by our swimming association,” aniya. “As Eric and I said, all these swimmers – no matter how talented — should also undergo qualifying rounds. Even the great American swimming champion Michael Phelps underwent qualifying.” (Clyde Mariano/MC)