Water under the bridge 2 major swimming groups join forces

Two major swimming stakeholders are joining hands to keep the sport from sinking deeper into the abyss.

Asian Games champion Ral Rosario, handpicked by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) to lead the sport, yesterday formally joined hands with Susan Papa, who swore the Philippine Swimming League’s allegiance to Rosario’s Philippine Swimming, Inc.

“This will mend the community together and hopefully begin a new era for swimming,” said Rosario, also an Olympian.

Rosario said the decision to accept Papa into the fold stems from POC president Ricky Vargas’ philosophy of “inclusion rather than exclusion.”

Lani Velasco, the PSI’s secretarygeneral, is also claiming the leadership of swimming but doesn’t enjoy the POC’s support.

Rosario is hoping that the issue on leadership will be resolved as the clock is ticking with the Asian Games in InHorford donesia taking place in August.

Also backing Rosario is fellow Olympian Akiko Thomson, who was present during yesterday’s affair.

Papa insists she doesn’t have any desire in gaining a post under Rosario, adding that her decision to support him is largely based on her advocacy.

“This is going to be historic and I hope Ral will bring us back into the winning stage,” Papa said.