Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
CAPAS, Tarlac—The Philippines got a huge development when the swimming pool at New Clark City Aquatics Center got its accreditation from Fina, the International Swimming Federation, as a world-class facility ahead of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.
Philippine Swimming Incorporated President Lani Velasco submitted the papers to Fina officials Sunday here, completing the accreditation for the swimming pool ahead of the SEA Games which starts on November 30 to December 11.
Velasco said some parts of the Aquatics Center still need a little bit of work to get complete but the swimming pool area and the bleachers are good to go.
“It needs just a little bit more of finishing touches but the place is ready, the venue—the Aquatics Center—is working,” said Velasco. “The venue is ready.”
The Aquatics Center, though, already got its share of the competition with the Philippine National Open Swimming Championships culminating in the first day of September.
The competition also served as the gauge for the PSI in choosing who will make up the national team come the regional games.
“We’re still coming out with the selection maybe on Sept. 10 or 12,” said Velasco. “You’d be surprised with the results come December, but we do have a lot swimmers with potential.”
Velasco added that the national team, once it’s formed, will stay at the Athletes’ Village a month before the Games.
As for the country hosting the regional event, Velasco said there’d always be a homecourt advantage for the Filipinos.
“Hearing the crowd cheering for you while you’re swimming for your country, there’s always a homecourt advantage this SEA Games,” said Velasco.