HATAW! D'yaryo ng Bayan hatawtabloid.com
TINATAYANG mahigit 300 batang atleta mula sa 27 koponan ang magtatagisan ng husay sa nalalapit na Growee-Manila Swim Meet na gaganapin sa Sabado, Marso 21, sa Teofilo Ildefonso Swimming Pool sa loob ng Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) sa Malate, Maynila.
Lalahok ang mga swimmers mula sa iba’t ibang pribado at pampublikong paaralan, pati na rin sa mga kilalang swimming clubs mula sa Metro Manila at karatig-lalawigan gaya ng Laguna, Batangas, at Lucena.
Ayon kay Yingfa Pilipinas president at head organizer Darren Evangelista, layunin ng torneo na palakasin ang grassroots development sa larangan ng swimming, partikular sa age-group at junior level. Ang kompetisyon ay bahagi ng patuloy na programa ng Manila Sports Council (MASCO) na itaas ang antas ng local swimming scene.
“This swim meet is part of MASCO’s relentless campaign to uplift swimming development at the grassroots level. It is open to everyone, and as of now, we already have 27 confirmed teams coming from as far as Laguna, Batangas, and Lucena,” sambit ni Evangelista sa Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports, Inc. (TOPS) ‘Usapang Sports’ na itinataguyod ng Philippine Sports Commission, Behrouz Persian Cuisine at Pocari Sweat.
“We are also thankful and grateful to those supporting us, especially Unilab Laboratories and Growee vitamins. With the help and support of the Philippine Sports Commission and MASCO, we are able to address the needs of our young swimmers.”
“A total of 70 Most Outstanding Swimmer (MOS) awards will be given.”
Paglalabanan sa torneo ang mga tropeo at medalya sa iba’t ibang kategorya kabilang ang Class A, B, at C divisions, mula 6-under hanggang 17-and-over, pati na rin sa novice category. Kabuuang 70 Most Outstanding Swimmers (MOS) awards ang ipamamahagi sa mga magtatampok na atleta.
Samantala, ikinatuwa naman ni Growee Brand Manager Anita Lim ang pakikipagtulungan sa naturang kompetisyon, na ayon sa kanya ay tugma sa adbokasiya ng kanilang kumpanya sa pagsusulong ng kalusugan at tamang paglaki ng kabataan.
“We’re hoping to make this partnership not just for one event, but for the long term. Growee is a partner in children’s growth and development, and partnering with the Manila Meet will further boost our program. During the tournament, we will have a booth where we will distribute Growee vitamins and other healthy products.”
Binigyang-diin naman ni Meiji See, Segment Head para sa Pedia Multivitamins, ang kahalagahan ng sports sa pagpapalaganap ng healthy lifestyle at sustainability sa mga programa para sa kabataan.
“We see sports as a way to promote sustainability in our programs, encouraging a healthy lifestyle while strengthening our initiatives for children’s health and growth,” pahayag ni See.
Sa panig naman ng MASCO, inimbitahan ni Chief Dale Evangelista ang swimming community na suportahan ang Manila Team na sasabak sa eight-team Manila Water Polo International Championships mula Marso 25 hanggang 28 sa parehong pasilidad.
“Eight years ago, we already started developing these teams. This tournament will serve as their chance to prove their worth and skills, and at the same time, a stepping stone toward making it to the national team,” ani Dale Evangelista, dating miyembro ng Philippine team na nagkamit ng silver medal sa water polo sa 2005 Southeast Asian Games.
Kabilang sa mga inaasahang kalahok sa water polo tilt ang mga koponan mula sa Hong Kong at Singapore, na magbibigay ng mas mataas na antas ng kompetisyon sa lokal na mga atleta. (HNT)
