Manila: The world-renowned white sand beaches of Boracay are set to captivate athletes and visitors alike as the island prepares to host the 4th Southeast Asian Open Water Championships from August 21 to 23. This prestigious event is attracting participants from seven of the 11 member countries of the Southeast Asian Swimming Federation, including Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste, and Vietnam, alongside the host nation, the Philippines.
According to Philippines News Agency, approximately 200 swimmers are expected to compete in the standard medal events, covering distances of 5 and 10 kilometers for both men and women. These races will be conducted over a 1.66-kilometer square course within the island's picturesque cove, commencing early each morning.
Philippine Aquatics Inc. (PAI) Secretary General Eric Buhain emphasized the anticipated increase in participation due to the concurrent open water festival, featuring 3 and 5-kilometer races. He noted that this aligns with Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Patrick Gregorio's advocacy for sports tourism. "Indonesia has its Bali, Thailand has its Pattaya, and now the Philippines has Boracay to be proud of, so we can anticipate even more swimmers and tourists," Buhain stated in a news release.
The National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Committee, led by Gregorio, is playing a crucial role in organizing the event. Gregorio highlighted the collaborative effort between government, private stakeholders, and national sports associations, underscoring the potential benefits for both sports development and local tourism. "This is a win-win situation for everybody, so we salute the PAI under the leadership of President Mico Vargas for hosting the event here," he added.
Buhain, a seasoned Olympian and multiple Southeast Asian Games gold medalist, assured that comprehensive safety measures are in place for the championship. Lifeguards, life rafts, and medical personnel will be on standby to ensure the athletes' safety. "Even when the swimmers train, we see to it that all of these conditions are in place before they work out in open water, more so in actual competition," he affirmed.
