‘National try-outs sa swimming, libre’ – 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 Nobyembre 30 hanggang Disyembre 11 sa Manila, Subic at Clark Freeport.

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“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 kanyang pagbisita kasama si National coach Pinky Brosas at SEAG Chef De Mission Monsour del Rosario sa ‘Usapan sa Sports’ ng Tabloid Organization in Philippine Sports (TOPS) kahapon 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, dating chairman ng Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) at Games and Amusement Board (GAB).

Ayon kay Buhain, bukas simula ngayon ang Philippine Swimming Inc. website, gayundin ang Facebook account kung saan puwedeng magpalista ang lahat ng Pinoy swimmers at foreign-breed Pinoy, gayundin ang mga coaches at trainors ng lahat ng swimming club at association sa bansa.

“Libre po ang pagpapalista. Wala pong bayad. Starting today, tatanggap napo kami ng mga aplikasyon ngmga nais mag-try outs. By February on March, maisasagaw a na natin ito so we can form the National Team,” pahayag ni Buhain.

Iginiit ni Brosas na kaagad na sisimulan ang ensayo sakaling mapili na ang mga ‘deserving swimmers’ sa National Team.

“Atleast by September, nasa second phase na yung preparation natin,” sambit ni Brosas.

Iginiit ni Buhain na layunin nila ang mapagkaisa ang lahat ng swimming club, team at mga swimmers na napagkaitan ng pagkakataon para maipamalas ang kanilang tanging galing.

“I see a lot of new faces, who can take our places. Madaming magagaling, madaming masigasig ngayon.

“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,”pahayag ni 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.

Iginiit ni Brosas na maging ang mga 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 accociation,” 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.”