Saturday, October 20, 2007 300 tankers battle Saturday at Panaad Park
THE Negros Panaad Swimming Club will be spearheading the Masskara Age-Group Swimfest 2007 starting Saturday until Sunday at the Pana-ad Park and Stadium Swimming Pool, Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City.
The event, joined by almost 300 swimmers comprising 22 teams, is sanctioned by the Philippine Amateur Swimming Association Inc. with Sanction Number PNA-2D747-Q.
A total of 168 events to be competed were 134 gold medals are at stake in seven age divisions: 18 and above, 15-17, 13-14, 11-12, 9-10, 7-8 and 6-under.
Tournament manager Jake Piccio said seven teams from Bacolod are joining, while squads based in Bago City, Silay and Hinigaran will also see action.
They join a bevy of powerhouse teams from Dumaguete and Makati, among others, that have signified their intention to join the meet that will use the competition management solution timing device, which Piccio says is the latest timing technology in swimming. Hosting the event is the Negros Panaad Sea Eagles.
Teams that have signed are Makati Skipjacks, Silliman University, Negros Oriental Blue Dolphins, Iloilo Sea Warriors, Antique-Binirayan Tadpoles and a squad each from Olongapo City, Palawan, Mindoro, Zamboanga and Iligan City.
Aside from the Sea Warriors, Piccio said there are three more teams from Iloilo coming for the event, which will also be open for non-members of the PASA.
He further said that PASA has approved the use of time categories to determine the swimmers who posted triple A, double A, A and B times, a standard in international swimming based on age. Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia will keynote the opening ceremony. (JSG)
