NCC hosts Asian joust
Clark has been chosen because of the facilities it can provide to Asian swimmers
CAPAS CITY — The Philippines is set to stage the 2020 Asian Swimming Championship following its successful hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
Asian Aquatic Sports Federation (AASF) secretary general Taha Sulaiman Al-Kishry formally announced the country’s hosting, saying that it would be held at the New Clark City (NCC) Aquatic Center from 7 to 17 November next year.
Al-Kishry said the venue was chosen due to its state-of-the-art facilities for swimming, diving, artistic swimming, open water swimming and water polo that are at par with that of other countries like China, Japan, Singapore, Vietnam and South Korea, which hosted the FINA World Championship early this year.
Aside from the prestigious swimfest, which would be participated by the best tankers from 45 Asian countries, the AASF would also hold its general congress and election of new set of officers during the event, giving the country a chance to open its doors for big-shot aquatic executives.
“Clark has been chosen because of the facilities it can provide to Asian swimmers. We will bring all the best athletes from Asia,” said Al-Kishry, who is also the secretary general of the Oman Olympic Committee.
“During the championships, we will also have the general congress, where we would hold our election. So expect all swimming dignitaries to be here.”
The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is proud to have the NCC be chosen as venue of such a prestigious swimming tournament.
BCDA president Vince Dizon said it would definitely give them an opportunity to boost their tourism and display Filipino hospitality.
“When you have a world-class facility, the international community takes notice,” Dizon said, adding that hosting will be a collaboration among the BCDA, Philippine Swimming Inc. (PSI) and Philippine Sports Commission.
“And any international hosting benefits the people, especially the tourism sector.”
“We agree that this is a great occasion for us to inspire the next generation of elite athletes as well as project a positive image of the Philippines to the world.”
PSI president Lani Velasco expressed gratitude to the BCDA for building such impressive facilities and to the AASF for picking the country as host.
She said this could spark the revival of Philippine swimming, which has been hampered by leadership squabble the past few years.
“We at the PSI are very grateful to BCDA and the PSC for agreeing to partner with us and provide us with the support needed to make this major aquatics event possible,” Velasco said.
“Both these organizations were, in fact, instrumental in making the 30th SEA Games a success and it is our hope that the strong ties built during the SEA Games will translate into an even more successful staging of the Asian Swimming Championships.”