Swim-off to highlight nat’l games

THE PHILIPPINE Sports Commission will search for the finest Filipino athletes regardless of affiliation in the Philippine National Games.

PSC Chair William Ramirez yesterday announced the PNG would be hosted by Dumaguete City on Dec. 1 to 5 to determine who among the competitors from various sports are worthy for the national team.

He hinted that the national games could be the venue for the anticipated swim-off between swimmers of the Philippine Swimming Inc. and the Philippine Swimming League.

“There will be no more regional qualifying unlike before,” said Ramirez. “A one-time national tournament for all has more impact.”

According to the PSC chief, the PNG will be a week-long where an expected 5,000 athletes from different parts of the country will compete for slots in the national pool.

The government sports agency will invite all local government units as early as possible along with the regular members of the national team under the national sports associations.

“We expect a lot of conflict to happen there,” said Ramirez. “By doing this, we will be able to identify the athletes for the national team.”

Swimming will get much of the attention in the PNG after PSI secretary general Lani Velasco earlier declared willingness for a swim-off.

The swimmers of the PSI, the local body recognized by the Philippine Olympic Committee, represent the country in the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games and Olympics while the PSL, headed by Susan Papa, claims it has some of the best tankers in the pool.