Save Philippine swimming

THE Philippines’ abysmal showing in the 42nd South East Asian Age Group Swimming Championship came as no surprise.

It was expected because of the questionable policy implemented by the Philippine Swimming Inc.

( PSi) “headed” by Lani Velasco in the selection of athletes for the competition.

This is so because the selection process was exclusive only for PSi members.

Velasco, whose election as PSi president was not recognized by the Philippine Olympic Committee, should realize the need to change the policies on the selection of athletes.

Jasmine Mojdeh broke records and won six gold medals and one silver in this year’s Palarong Pambansa. Yet, the PSi did not even consider including her or other swimmers with better clocking in the national games when it prepared the list of swimmers who will participate in the Asean Age Group Championship.

On the first day of the competition held in Laguna, the Philippines was at the bottom, just ahead of Myanmar, Brunei, Cambodia and Laos. All four countries won no medal.

The Philippines’ harvest? One silver, and three bronzes.

This is unacceptable! The only countries that we can beat are Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Brunei?

We could have done better.

But when the selection process involves money, not talent, this pitiable result should be expected.

I am not laying the blame on the athletes, because they are also victims of the selection process.

According to the Memorandum issued by Velasco, athletes were made to pay a fee of P32,000 for lodging, food, transportation and uniform. Swimmers who paid the fee were allowed participate in the 42nd South East Asian gold, one Age Group Championship.

Swimmer Grace Luna, a gold medalist in the Asian Age Group who beat Japanese swimmers during her time had this to say:

“I represented the country in the 1st SEA Age Group in Singapore. That was my final year in age group swim. We did not spend a single centavo for the trip. We had traveling and competition uniforms, swimsuits, caps, goggles, bag, and souvenirs to be exchanged. There’s not even such a thing paying for membership or being a member of what not just to be included in the team if qualified. Tryouts were open to everyone. This is now the 42nd SEA. If this was made possible at that time why can’t it be done now? Leaders should now tap swimmers who will be assets to the team.”

How can the Philippines shine in swimming competitions if the PSi will continue to be allowed to implement questionable policies in the selection of athletes?

The Philippine Sports Commission, the government sports regulatory agency, should step in to rectify errors in the selection of athletes, since one of its mandates is to help develop Philippine sports by shaping policies. The PSC should also fulfill its other responsibilities, which is to create equitable opportunities and support and develop talented athletes who can represent the country in international competitions.

Only when the PSC seriously looks at the problems besetting the swimming community can the country rise from its abysmal performance in international contests.

It’s time to take a second look on policies involving the selection of national athletes.

Talent and performance should be the basis. Not cash or connections.

Let the Philippines shine by outstanding athletes! selecting only