Second phase of Water Life Swim Programme in Kuching to begin in September

KUCHING (Aug 18): The second phase of the Water Life Swim Programme initiated by Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How is set to commence this September in a bid to unearth and develop young talents into future Sarawak swimmers.

The first phase of this programme, which successfully equipped 240 pupils from five primary schools in the Batu Lintang constituency with basic life-saving swimming skills, concluded yesterday.

“Five schools are represented here today as the pioneering partners, and we have some basic data to show some aspects of each school’s participation.

“I am grateful to the students who have not missed a single lesson for their dedication and commitment.

“I would also like to thank school teachers who have demonstrated their support, dedication and commitment outside of the classrooms by accompanying their students consistently,” See said at a closing ceremony for the programme’s first batch.

At the ceremony, 70 out of the 240 students selected by their trainers showcased what they had learned during the six-month programme.

“For those who were not selected, I hope you continue to practise at your own time to not lose what you had learned,” said See.

Adding on, he said the successes and weaknesses of the programme had been analysed and examined, and that they are looking at the possibility of having further phases of the programme to provide opportunity to those with potentials.

He also hoped that it will serve as a blueprint to organise similar programmes in order to train Sarawak sports from the ground up in a systematic and coherent manner, as well as show that sports belong to all individuals, irrespective of race, religion and financial positions.

The programme, See added, is aimed to provide an opportunity for the B40 pupils to acquire basic life-saving swimming skills, as well as to develop their physical fitness and enhance their mental capacities and characters.

“It also ensures that Sarawak sports representations are not limited by financial capabilities of parents and children.

“We hope to show that capitalising on our schools as the base to build sporting talents with financial and organisational support is key to developing an inclusive sporting programme for the long term,” he said.