Capas, Philippines, December 5, 2019: The Secretary General of the Asia Swimming Federation, Taha Sulaiman Al-Kishry, had only one word to describe the new aquatics complex in the Philippines: “Excellent!” The Omani swimming official is attending the 30th Southeast Asian Games and is mightily impressed with the 2,000-capacity aquatics centre at New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac – 130km north of the capital Manila. The aquatics centre, together with the 20,000-capacity main stadium for athletics and the Athletes’ Village, is the hub of the SEA Games, whose 56 sports include the Olympic favourites water polo, swimming and diving. The water polo competitions were held in the main swimming pool, which has 10 lanes and has full FINA certification, while the diving pool and eight-lane practice pool make up the other three major facilities in the aquatics centre. When asked about his overall impression of this sparkling new complex, Taha replied: “Excellent! “With all the necessary arrangements and equipment then this facility can have international events of FINA and continental events in diving, swimming and water polo.” Taha said that the Asia Swimming Federation would be a signing a host city contract with the Philippines Swimming Federation during the SEA Games in order to hold the Asian Championships at New Clark City in November 2020. “We will be having all the disciplines with 1,500 athletes and officials. The athletes will stay in the Athletes’ Village so everything will be very convenient,” he added. The plan is to hold the championships from November 7 for 10 days as well as the General Assembly of the Asia Swimming Federation. The local fans have flocked to the SEA Games swimming sessions and the overseas swimmers, notably Rio Olympics 2016 butterfly champion Joseph Schooling from Singapore, have been impressed with the welcome and the support of the public. Taha, who is also a member of the FINA Bureau, said the New Clark City complex could establish itself as one of the best in Asia and attract big events at national, continental and international level in the years to come, building on this successful start at the 30th SEA Games.
New Clark City aquatics centre prepares to host Asian championships in 2020
