MANILA – Boracay is poised to welcome swimmers from at least eight Southeast Asian nations when it hosts the 4th Southeast Asian Open Water Championships from Aug. 21 to 23, with organizers expecting the island’s world-renowned tourism appeal to draw more athletes, spectators and visitors for the regional meet.
Philippine Aquatics Inc. (PAI) officials said the championship, presented by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), is expected to attract around 200 athletes in the official medal events, while participation is projected to increase further with the staging of an accompanying open water festival.
“Indonesia had its Bali, Thailand had its Pattaya, and now the Philippines has Boracay to be proud of so we fans anticipate even more swimmers and tourists to watch the open water swimming meet,” stressed PAI secretary-general Eric Buhain.
PAI executive director Anthony Reyes said at least eight of the 11 member-countries of the Southeast Asian Swimming Federation have confirmed participation in the tournament.
“They are Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste, Vietnam and of course, host Philippines,” Reyes said of the country’s first time hosting the regional open water championship at Boracay Newcoast in Malay, Aklan.
PAI president Michael Vargas said the event will not only strengthen the sport in the region but also showcase Boracay as a premier international destination.
“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 in a statement.
Buhain said approximately 200 swimmers are expected to compete in the official men’s and women’s five-kilometer and 10-kilometer races over a 1.66-kilometer square course inside Boracay’s cove.
“But we can expect more participants in the open water festival in the 3 and 5-kilometer distances that will be coincide with the regular meet so the numbers will swell, which is in keeping with PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio’s sports tourism advocacy,” he added.
Buhain also acknowledged the support of the Malay municipal government led by Mayor Frolibar Bautista, the Aklan provincial government headed by Gov. Jose Miraflores, and the National Sports Tourism Interagency Committee chaired by PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio.
“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 stressed.
“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 added.
Organizers said comprehensive safety measures will be in place throughout the three-day competition, including lifeguards, life rafts, medical teams and support personnel stationed around the race course.
“Even when the swimmers train, we see to it that all of these conditions are in place before they work out in open water, moreso in actual competition,” Buhain and Reyes said./PN
