PAI National Age-Group Championships sisimulan sa pagpupugay kay Rivera

NAKATAKDANG lumarga ngayong araw, Biyernes, 21 Hunyo, ang Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (PAI) 1st National Age Group Championships (PANAGOC) sa Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Pool sa loob ng pamosong Rizal Memorial Sports Complex sa Malate, Maynila.

Ang tatlong araw na torneo na magsisimula ngayong araw (Biyernes) ay tatampukan ng mga premyadong junior swimmers ng bansa kabilang sina Asian junior gold medalist at record holder Jamesray Mishael Ajido, two-time World Junior Championship campaigner Jasmine Mojdeh, at kapwa Asian meet campaigner Aishel Evangelista, Patricia Mae Santor, at Ricielle Maleeka Melencio.

Sinabi ng bagong itinalagang PAI Executive Director na si Anthony Reyes, halos 700 manlalangoy mula sa mahigit 50 koponan at swimming club sa buong bansa ang kompirmadong lalahok sa pinakamalaking lokal na kompetisyon sa paglangoy mula nang ipakilala ng PAI ang national ranking system para sa lahat na nakarehistrong miyembro ng local swimming body.

Ang format ng meet ay timed Finals para sa Class A, B, at C 8-under, 9, 10, 11,12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, at 18-over age groups. Ang Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), ang Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), at ang Speedo ay tagapagtaguyod ng event.

Sinabi ni PAI Secretary-General Batangas 1st District Congressman Eric Buhain, isang maikling pagpupugay para sa yumaong Executive Director na si Francisco “Chito” Rivera ang magtatampok sa opening ceremony ngayong araw, ganap na 8:00 am. 

Ang 67-anyos na si Rivera, varsity swimming head coach ng Ang Jose Rizal University at co-founder ng Congress of Philippine Aquatics (COPA) ay pumanaw kamakailan.

“Coach Chito (Rivera) is a great loss to Philippine aquatics. But his legacy lives on as we continue to put our best foot forward to further enhance the development of swimming and the other disciplines in aquatics. We’re targeting a better future in open water, water polo, diving, and artistic swimming, from regional to national levels,” pahayag ni Buhain.

“All these align with coach Chito’s hardwork and planning, and we take pride in continuing these reforms to improve aquatics for all concerned,” ayon sa two-time Olympian and Philippine Sports Hall of Famer.

Makakasama ni PAI president Miko Vargas si Buhain sa pagbibigay ng parangal. 

Inimbitahan din na saksihan ang pagbibigay ng plaque of recognition sa pamilya ni Rivera sina Philippine Olympic Association (POA) president at swimming icon Akiko Thompson, at two-time Olympian at dating National mentor na si Pinky Brosas.

Naging bayani sa aquatics si Ajido, 15 anyos, nang angkinin ang kauna-unahang gintong medalya sa Asian level matapos maghari sa boys’ 12-14 100m butterfly sa 11th Asian Age Group Championships nitong Pebrero sa New Clark City Aquatics Center.

Ang kanyang winning time na 55.98 segundo ay isang bagong meet record, na bumura sa 56.36 marka ni Chinese Wang Yu Xiang noong 2019. (HATAW News Team)