FESSAP sends lean team to Universiade in China

Manila, Philippines - The Federation of School Sports Associations of the Philippines is sending a lean but mean delegation that will represent the Philippines in the 26th Summer Universiade, considered the Olympics at the university level, set Aug. 12-23 in Shenzhen, China.

FESSAP delegation head Alvin Tai Lian said FESSAP is competing in athletics, archery, beach volleyball, badminton, basketball, chess, swimming and table tennis in the biennial meet where the Philippines is competing for the first time.

The task force consolidating the list of qualified participants is headed by FESSAP executive vice president Robert Milton Calo, with former PSC commissioner and national volleyball star Tisha Abundo and Christian Tan as members.

Philippine Swimming League (PSL) chairperson and former Sen. Nikki Coseteng of the Diliman Preparatory School has been designated manager of the swimming team.

Coseteng and national coach Susan Papa, PSL president and former national swimmer, have formally submitted the initial list of swimmers.

They are Loren Dale Echavez (50/100/200 freestyle), Denjylie Cordero (50/100/200 breast), Claire Adorna (50/100 fly) Antonette Aquino (50/100 fly) Jacqui Junio (50/100 back) in the women category and Kiefer Alexander James Piccio (50/100/200 fly) in the men’s division.

Coseteng said the swimmers are now training at the DPS Swimming Center under coaches of the Philippine Swimming League. She said more entries will be submitted before the deadline in mid-June.

The 2013 Universiade will be held in Kazan City, Russia while the 2015 will be hosted by Gwangju City in South Korea.