Over 140 swimmers take the plunge in 3rd GCM Meet
MIRI: Apart from uncovering new talents and promoting a healthy lifestyle, the Gymkhana Club Miri (GCM) International Inter Club Swimming Championship can contribute to family bonding.
Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting made this point when he officiated at the third edition of the meet yesterday.
“In championship like this parental and family bonding is priceless, no amount of money can buy it. The amount of time spend by families of the participants during championship and also during trainings is worth spending to strengthen the institution of family and also understanding among the participating teams,” he explained.
Ting also announced a RM5,000 grant towards the cost of organising the event.
Meanwhile organising chairlady Liza Chai, who is also GCM vice president, thanked all the twelve teams for their participation.
A total of 143 swimmers are competing in the meet representing four teams from Miri, three from Brunei, two from Kuching and one each from Bintulu and Labuan.
GCM is the defending champion in the two-day championship which will end today (Sunday).
Two records were created after the first eight events were completed yesterday.
Seau Zhi Ping of GCM clocked 1:16.09sec in the 100m freestyle (Boys 8 and Under) to erase the old record of 1:17.09 set by Puong Jie Hii in 2015.
The other record was established in the 100m freestyle (Girls 11-12) when Leilani Stowers was timed at 1:05.47 to better the previous standard of 1:06.31 achieved by Stephanie Goh.
Among those present yesterday were GCM manager Murugaya Veloo and exco member Jamila Abdul Basha.