A new national swimming competition for children aged six to 17 years old is set to be launched next month involving 10 local government units in key cities of Manila, the Visayas and Mindanao.
Dubbed "Langoy Pilipinas", the event which was conceptualized by swimming coach and event organizer Darren Evangelista targeted not only the school-based teams and established swimming clubs but also the less fortunate children and out-of-school youth.
“The tournament is open to all Filipino young swimmers, regardless of their affiliations and religions. Everybody is welcome. We’re currently in close coordination with LGUs so we can identify those less fortunate swimmers in their respective communities to join the event,” said Evangelista, head of the organizing GoldenEast Ads Promo and Events.
Evangelista, a former member of Mapua Cardinals that won the title in the 1990s and five-time NCAA champion coach in swimming, stressed that the conceptualization of the competition is based on six important objectives: strengthen grassroots development, improve tourism through sports, create a wave of livelihood opportunities, enhance positive values and sportsmanship, and promote family togetherness.
Included in the program as partners are cities of Manila, Tarlac, Cavite, Laguna in Luzon, Bohol, Roxas and Bacolod in the Visayas and Sarangani and Cagayan de Oro in Mindanao.
Evangelista added that the event is also in closed coordination with the Swimming League Philippines (SLP), Philippine Swimming League (PSL) and Congress of Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (COPA).
“For the Manila event, preparation is ongoing with close coordination with the Office of Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna as well as the Manila Sports Council (MASCO),” said Evangelista.
He added that all is set for the Sarangani event tentatively slated on Feb. 24 as Gov. Rogelio "Ruel’ Pacquiao already gave his full support during a lengthy meeting with the organizers in the provincial capitol recently.
“Okay na tayo sa Manila, tentatively on Feb. 18 at the Rizal Memorial swimming pool, gayundin sa Sarangani. Yung ibang venue natin, ongoing pa ang mga meeting with the local officials and partner stakeholders,” said Evangelista.