BORACAY — The Philippines will make its hosting debut in the Southeast Asian Open Water Championships as 113 swimmers from eight countries plunge into the waters of Boracay for the fourth edition of the regional competition beginning Friday.
The three-day 4th Southeast Asian Open Water Championships at Boracay Newcoast will bring together athletes from Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam and host Philippines in a major test for the region’s open water swimmers.
Sanctioned by the Southeast Asian Swimming Federation, the championships mark the first time the Philippines will host the regional meet, giving the country an opportunity to showcase both its aquatic talent and its capacity to stage international sporting events.
Philippine Aquatics Inc. (PAI) secretary general Eric Buhain said Boracay’s international reputation could help draw more athletes and spectators to future open water competitions in the country.
“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,” Buhain said.
Beyond the competition, organizers see the championships as another vehicle for sports tourism, with foreign swimmers, coaches, officials and supporters converging on one of the Philippines’ premier island destinations.
Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick Gregorio said the staging of the regional championships shows how government, private stakeholders and national sports associations can work together to bring international sporting events to the country.
“The 4th SEA Open Water Championships 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 said.
PAI president Michael Vargas said hosting the competition serves the twin goals of strengthening open water swimming in Southeast Asia and showcasing Boracay to international visitors.
“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,” Vargas said.
The races will be staged off Boracay Newcoast, a 150-hectare tourism development, with organizers putting safety measures in place throughout the competition area.
Lifeguards, rescue boats, medical teams and other personnel will be stationed at strategic points, while Buhain and PAI executive director Anthony Reyes said the same safety protocols will be enforced during training sessions.
Buhain also thanked the local governments of Malay and Aklan, led by Malay Mayor Frolibar Bautista and Aklan Gov. Jose Miraflores, for supporting the championships.
Gregorio said hosting the event could provide dividends not only for Philippine aquatics but also for Boracay’s tourism industry.
“Not only is this competition a boon for open swimming development in the country but a huge boost for local tourism. This is a win-win situation for everybody so we salute the PAI under leadership of president Mico Vargas for hosting the event here,” he said.
Organizers hope the championships will strengthen the Philippines’ credentials as a destination for international aquatic competitions while establishing Boracay as a viable venue for major open water swimming events./PN
