TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Some 2,000 athletes are taking part in the second Indonesia Open Aquatic Championship (IOAC) held at Gelora Bung Karno Aquatic Stadium from December 1 to 9, the Central Executive Board of the Indonesian Swimmers Association (PRSI) said.

"Some two thousand national and international athletes are taking part in the 2nd IOAC. The international athletes are from Syria, Singapore, and Malaysia, among others," PRSI Deputy Chief Harlin E Rahardjo noted in a press statement released on Saturday.

He stated that the association plans to make IOAC a calendar of event, which will be held routinely every year.

Besides being a routine tournament, the IOAC will also serve as a means to select national athletes who will compete in the SEA Games 2019, he remarked.

"Through this tournament, we also hope there will be talented athletes who can revive the achievements in swimming in Indonesia," he added.

The first IOAC was held at Gelora Bung Karno Aquatic Stadium from Dec 5 to 15 last year, and it served as a test event ahead of the Asian Games 2018.

The second IOAC will feature four sports, including swimming from Dec 1 to 5; artistic swimming from Dec 7 to 9; and diving from Dec 6 to 9.

ANTARA