FINIS NAKIPAG-PARTNER SA BCDA PARA GAMITIN NEW CLARK CITY SPORTS FACILITIES

CLARK FREEPORT—Bilang pagpapalakas sa Philippine sports matapos ilagay sa new normal ang bansa, ang swim gear company na Finis Philippines ay nakipagtulungan sa Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) upang simulan ang mga aktibidad sa sports at maghatid ng mga grassroots competition sa New Clark City sa Capas, Tarlac.

Lumagda sa isang memorandum of understanding (MOU) sina BCDA Officer-in-Charge President and Chief Executive Officer Atty. Aristotle. B. Batuhan at Finis Philippines Managing Director Vince Garcia noong Biyernes  na hudyat ng pagsisimula ng collaborative efforts upang i-promote ang New Clark City at magdaos ng iba’t ibang events sa sports facilities sa naturang lugar.

“We at the BCDA would like to thank Finis Philippines for choosing New Clark City as their venue of choice for its competitions and training camps. With the country now shifting to the new normal, the BCDA is looking forward to opening its doors to more swimmers and athletes in New Clark City, giving them access to world-class sport facilities,” ayon kay Batuhan.

Nakaposisyon bilang bagong premiere sports destination sa bansa, ang New Clark City sports complex ay ang unang pangunahing sports hub na itinayo ng gobyerno mula nang natapos ang Rizal Memorial Sports Complex noong 1934.

Binubuo ito ng Fédération Internationale de Natation’s (FINA) – approved Aquatics Center, ang International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) – certified Athletics Stadium, at ang 525-room Athletes’ Village accommodation facility.

Ang Finis Philippines ay ang nag-iisang awtorisadong distributor ng US-based na swim gear brand na Finis, na dalubhasa sa mga teknikal na device na ginagamit para sa swim training at kompetisyon, gayundin sa mga technical swimwear. Ang training product nito ay malawakang ginagamit ng mga piling swimmer at swim coach sa US, Australia, Europe at Asia.

“Finis exudes elite swimming since all its training gear innovations are developed to make the best of the best. We only find it fitting that we kick off our very own swim competitions with the best and only global standard facility in our nation. This is precisely why we chose BCDA and its New Clark City Aquatics Center,” ayon kay Garcia. Dumalo ang mga piling Filipino swimmers sa Aquatics Center bilang pagpapakita ng suporta sa partnership ng BCDA at Finis. Kabilang dito sina Kyla Soguilon, multiple winner ng Athlete of the Year award ng Philippine Sportswriters Association at national swimming team record holder Jasmine Mojdeh.

Competitions for adults, kids

Sa naturang ding event noong Biyernes, lumagda rin ang BCDA at Finis ng letter agreement para sa hosting ng 2022 Short Course Swim Competition Series – Luzon leg na ginanap noong Marso 26 hanggang 27 at ang unang Kids of Steel (KOS) Triathlon noong Marso 27 sa New Clark City Aquatics Center.

Ang dalawang araw na short swim competition series’ heats ay magkakaroon ng timed finals, na pinagbukud-bukod sa walong age groups batay sa edad ng kalahok simula Disyembre 31, 2022. Ang pinakamahuhusay na manlalangoy sa bawat kategorya ay magkakaroon ng pagkakataong makipagkumpitensya para sa Finis National Finals ngayong Hunyo, sa New Clark City Aquatics Center din.

 Samantala, ang KOS Triathlon, na officially functioned ng Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP), ay magpapatuloy sa grassroots level ng scouting potential young triathletes. Ang mga promising aspirants ay maaaring sumali sa developmental training program ng TRAP. “Our hearts go out to all kids that were cooped up for two years. It has affected their social skills in interacting with other kids, as well as other people. When Level 1 restrictions of the pandemic were announced, we thought that it was the perfect time to have the kids to finally come out and play. Sports is very important to hone the life skills of kids and we should all nurture that,” wika ni Garcia.

“Once we get our momentum, we have other sports to host in the near future. In the pipelines are the Finis Long Course Swim Competition Series, Open Water Swim Races,  Aquathlons , and lots of swim-related training clinics to develop everyone to love the sport of swimming,” dagdag niya

Upang protektahan ang kalusugan ng staff at mga kalahok, tiniyak ng BCDA at Finis na mahigpit na maipapatupad ang health at safety protocols sa mga events.