An innovative swimathon

Sports has often been the medium to raise funds for philanthropic purposes. We have mastered this strategy to near perfection. Each year, a number of marathons are held and thousands of liri are collected in aid of worthy causes.

The Kerygma Volleyball Marathon and Life Cycle are two activities that have become important annual appointments in the sporting/social calendar these past few years.

The Swimathon 2003, organised by the Ghana Mission Foundation, is another such venture.

It will be held at the National Pool on Friday, October 3. The name in itself may be misleading as some of you may already be cringing at the thought of watching a group of swimmers piling up the laps in solitude.

However, the organisers have come up with some innovations that should hopefully attract scores of curious spectators to Tal-Qroqq.

Organisers are seeking to raise more funds for the completion of an Eye-Care Clinic in Kumasi, Ghana. Most Third World countries lack basic medical services and this project has been identified as part of the Millennium Project selected by Pope John Paul II.

When completed, the clinic will be named after Maltese ophthal-mologist Sir Luigi Preziosi.

Once again, various athletes and entertainers will blend their acts together into a 12-hour marathon to collect funds for a project expected to be ready by 2005.

All schools and sports clubs have been invited to lend a helping hand by participating in this event.

Some organisations have already confirmed their participation and support.

Although Malta is surrounded by the sea, swimming has never really taken off here and the opening of the first Olympic-size fresh water heated pool has yet to lure the numbers it was meant to in the first place.

Such an event may spur a group of youngsters into taking up swimming in the hope of nurturing more comp-etitive swimmers for future events.

The organisers should be commended for choosing swimming for a charitable cause.

Participants and spectators will be in for a number of surprises including underwater draughts and chess.

Fully qualified divers will be donning their equipment and effect a demonstration while submerged under the water.

To ensure that those on the terraces get the best possible view, no one will be allowed to swim or dive during this show. Undergraduates should take up the challenge and send out a warning that University life is not all work and no play.

In recent years, sporting activities at the University have dwindled considerably as students juggle between work and academic duty.

With the National Pool only a stone throw's away from the campus, expectations were high that a budding team would leave its mark in the National Championships or other competitions.

Such a project has yet to reach its embryonic phase as a lethargic cloud has descended heavily on the University.

The marathon promises to provide 12 hours of solid fun and activities including beginners' diving lessons.

For the faint hearted, perhaps, a life saving display could prove to be an alternative.

On deck, there will be artists creating a number of paintings that will reflect themes inspired by everyday life in Ghana.

No dull moments are envisaged for next Friday as DJ Leone Sciberras will be calling the charts and a number of our leading entertainers will be coming together in the evening to put up a fitting finale.

So if you're still having second thoughts about it, just put on your swimwear and turn up at the National Pool.

A few laps and a donation could go a long way in ensuring that eye disease in Ghana is curtailed.

If getting wet is not up your street, your presence on the terraces will motivate those aching their muscles in the water. For more details contact Graziella Darmanin on 7925-8982.