OVER 300 swimmers from invited schools, member clubs, and local government units (LGUs) in the Southern Tagalog region are set to join the Philippine Aquatics Inc.-organized Congressman Eric Buhain Cup this Saturday at the newly built Balayan Aquatics Center in Balayan, Batangas.
The one-day event, in partnership with the Southern Tagalog Amateur Swimming Association (STASA) and Speedo, is part of PAI’s relentless effort to identify talent and strengthen the grassroots sports program in the provinces.
“The event culminates with a short program for the groundbreaking for the extension and improvement of the swimming pool. Kailangan ayusin natin itong facility para hindi lang taga-Balayan, o taga-Batangas, bagkus para sa buong Pilipinas magamit itong ating mga batang swimmers,” said PAI Secretary General and Batangas 1st District Rep. Eric Buhain.
Buhain insisted on the need for more tournaments to cater to the growing numbers of young athletes who turned and “returned” to swimming as a testament of trust and confidence to PAI leadership since their assumption along with president Miko Vargas.
“All 17 regional members are hosting tournaments monthly. On our side, PAI embarked on a series of events in both short and long courses on our calendar. We need to sustain the effort of our young swimmers to excel and make it to the National Training Pool,” said Buhain.
Buhain added that PAI prioritizes the coaches’ development with the scheduled seminars on March 24-25 at the Orchid Garden Hotel with no less than Olympic coach Derric Schoof of Canada as the speaker.
