By Edwin Rollon
More than 300 young swimmers from 27 teams will see action in the Growee-Manila Swim Meet on Saturday, March 21, at the Teofilo Ildefonso Swimming Pool inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila.
Organizers expect participants from public and private schools, along with established swimming clubs from Metro Manila and nearby provinces such as Laguna, Batangas, and Lucena, to compete.
Yingfa Pilipinas president and meet organizer Darren Evangelista said the event aims to boost grassroots development in swimming, particularly in the age-group and junior ranks. The competition is part of the Manila Sports Council’s (MASCO) continuing efforts to raise the standard of the local swimming scene.
“This swim meet is part of MASCO’s campaign to strengthen grassroots development. It is open to all, and we already have 27 confirmed teams, including entries from Laguna, Batangas, and Lucena,” Evangelista said during the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports, Inc. (TOPS) ‘Usapang Sports’ forum backed by Philippine Sports Commission, Behrouz Persian Cuisine, Pocari Sweat and Mama's Kitchen.
He also acknowledged the support of partners and stakeholders.
“We are grateful to our supporters, especially Unilab Laboratories and Growee vitamins. With the backing of the Philippine Sports Commission and MASCO, we can address the needs of our young swimmers,” he added.
Competitors will dispute medals and trophies across Class A, B, and C divisions, covering categories from 6-under to 17-and-over, including the novice level. A total of 70 Most Outstanding Swimmer (MOS) awards will be handed out to top performers.
Growee Brand Manager Anita Lim welcomed the partnership, saying it aligns with the company’s advocacy of promoting children’s health and development.
“We hope this partnership goes beyond a single event. Growee supports children’s growth, and this collaboration will help strengthen our programs. We will also set up a booth during the tournament to distribute vitamins and other health products,” Lim said.
Meiji See, segment head for Pedia Multivitamins, underscored the role of sports in fostering healthy lifestyles among the youth.
“We view sports as a platform to promote sustainability in our programs while encouraging a healthy lifestyle and supporting children’s growth,” See said.
Meanwhile, MASCO chief Dale Evangelista urged the swimming community to support the Manila Team set to compete in the Manila Water Polo International Championships from March 25 to 28 at the same venue.
“This tournament allows our athletes to showcase their skills and serves as a stepping stone toward national team selection,” said Dale Evangelista, a former member of the Philippine squad that won silver in water polo at the 2005 Southeast Asian Games.
Teams from Hong Kong and Singapore will also join the water polo competition, offering tougher opposition for local bets.
