A TOTAL of 113 swimmers from eight of the 11 countries in Southeast Asia are seeing action in the 4th Southeast Asian Open Water Championships presented by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) that kicks off Friday at the Boracay Newcoast in Malay.
Beyond the sporting competition, the event is expected to showcase Boracay to visiting athletes, officials and spectators, reinforcing the role of international sporting events in promoting tourism and generating economic activity for host communities.
‘Indonesia had its Bali, Thailand had its Pattaya, and now the Philippines has Boracay to be proud of, so we can anticipate even more swimmers and tourists to watch the open water swimming meet,’ said Philippine Aquatics Inc. secretary general Eric Buhain.
Buhain-a former congressman-sportsman and swimming champion-cited the strong backing of the National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Committee headed by PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio for its involvement in the project.
‘The event is another prime example where government, private stakeholders and National Sports Associations can pool their resources and efforts together in successfully staging an international sporting event,’ Gregorio stressed.
‘This sporting event not only advances the growth of open water swimming in Southeast Asia, but also shines a spotlight on Boracay island as a true gem of the region, while reflecting the warmth and hospitality of the Filipino people,’ PAI president Michael Vargas said.
PAI executive director Anthony Reyes said teams from Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam and host Philippines will compete in the championships sanctioned by the Southeast Asian Swimming Federation.
It’s the country’s inaugural hosting of the open water swimming showcase overlooking the beautiful 150-hectare tourism estate being developed by real estate giant Megaworld.
Buhain also recognized the full support of the Municipality of Malay under Mayor Frolibar Bautista and Aklan under Governor Jose Miraflores.