BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
DESPITE the lack of a proper swimming pool facility, the Solomon Islands national swimming training team have undergone a series of coach training workshop aimed at coaches and athletes.
The 2-day swimming foundation coach workshop was held on 14 February 2023 at the Ranadi coastline near the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) school of Marine compound, east of Honiara.
Young talented swimmers and coaches have shown their commitment to ensuring the training workshop was carried out successfully.
The presence of the Solomon Islands’ top national swimmer, Edgar Richardson Iro was seen as instrumental for the young and aspiring swimmers who have prepared and aimed to book a spot in the national swimming team for this year’s Pacific Games in Honiara.
Edgar told RAW SPORTS that as part of the workshop training, the young swimmers have managed to sink in new knowledge and skills on how to apply the different types of swimming stroke techniques in the pool.
He also reminded them that it’s not that easy to become a professional swimmer but it takes more knowledge, skills, time, and commitment to reach that top level in the sport of swimming.
“If you want to become a professional swimmer to represent your country, you have to sacrifice yourself in terms of your focus, commitment, and passion for this particular sport,” Edgar said.
He later encourages the young talented swimmers of the training workshop to never give up on their training even though the country has no proper facility for the swimmers.
“Although there’s no proper swimming facility in the country for swimming athletes to train and compete, I urge all of you not to feel downhearted but to have a strong mind that despite all odds you can still make your way up the ladder and become a professional athlete for the country,” he said.
Meanwhile, Edgar is expected to return to back to Thailand for his sports and academic studies after spending his holidays with his family in the country.
He confirmed to RAW SPORTS that he will return to join the Solomon Islands national swimming team and represent the country in the upcoming Pacific Games in Honiara.
“For this year, I hope to compete in more swimming competitions abroad and I believe that such competition will prepare my confidence to compete with other top swimming athletes in the Oceania region at this year’s Games in the country,” Edgar said.
