Ang pagdaraos sa Boracay ng 4th Southeast Asia Open Water Swimming Championships ay nagbukas ng mga oportunidad para sa Pilipinas na mag-host ng iba pang international events sa hinaharap.
“We are grateful that we staged this international open water swimming showcase smoothly. It has opened up chances in hosting similar but bigger events in the future,” ayon kay Philippine Aquatics Inc. secretary general Eric Buhain na isa rin kampeon na manlalangoy noong kabataan nya.
“The opportunities are there now that we have laid the foundation in organizing and hosting bigger international events because of the lessons learned and experiences we’ve had here.”
Ibinahagi niya ang pangkalahatang positibong feedback mula sa mga kalahok sa tatlong araw na meet, na sinuportahan din ng National Sports Tourism Interagency Committee na pinamumunuan ni Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Patrick Gregorio.
Todo suporta rin ang pamahalaang panlalawigan ng Aklan at munisipalidad ng Malay.
Kabilang sa mga nagbigay ng mataas na marka sa pagho-host ng tatlong araw na kompetisyon ay ang World Aquatics evaluator na si Damian Van de Berg ng Australia.
“For this event to be approved by World Aquatics, it must have a WA evaluator for referees, so basically that is why I am here,” ani Van de Berg. “And I could see overall the joy and pride of those who are involved in the hosting. It has been an honor and privilege to witness that.”
Nang tanungin kung posible bang idaos sa Pilipinas ang mas malalaking international open water swimming meets, sang-ayon si Van de Berg.
“Absolutely. The infrastructure needs to be on a bigger scale but all the core parts are there,” ayon sa opisyal.
“From what I have seen, there is a basis for the future of staging Asian open water championships and World Cups. They come with significant costs for the hosts and your government, but all you
need to do is to scale up,” paliwanag ng beteranong international open water swimming referee na nakapaglingkod na sa apat na world championships.
“As I told Eric, your local organizing committee should be congratulated for what has been a first-rate hosting. It was done pretty well. Sky’s the limit for the Philippines in hosting future bigger open water meets,” dagdag nya.
Ikinatuwa ni Gregorio ang papuri dahil adbokasiya nya ang sports tourism.
“First of all, I would like to congratulate sec-gen Eric Buhain and all the people behind the hosting of the 4th Southeast Asia Open Water Swimming Championships for a job well done,” pahayag ni Gregorio.
“This is now our strategic, two-pronged approach in promoting and developing sports and tourism: Providing platforms for our athletes to play against the best from overseas while generating income
for our country in showcasing our tourist attractions.”
Nakakuha ang Pilipinas ng isang silver mula kay Anton Paulo Dominick Della (men’s 10km, 18-19 years) at tatlong tanso sa singles’ events.
Winalis din ng Pilipinas ang girls’ 16-17 years 3K festival.