By Edwin Rollon
The country’s hosting of the International Canoe Federation (ICF) World Dragon Boat Championships will boast not only the grassroots sports program of the Philippine Canoe-Kayak Dragon Boat Federation (PCKDF) but the sports and tourism industry of Puerto Princesa City as well.
PCKDF president Leonora ‘Len’ Escollante announced that more than 2,000 athletes, coaches, technical officials, and supporting staff from more than 30 countries are expected to arrive to participate in the tournament, and expectedly, become a tourists for the duration of the meet and beyond.
“Actually, as early as October 10 may mga teams na na nag-booked papuntang Puerto Princesa, para magtraining at ma-acclimatize. May mga nag-booked na rin na mag-stay sa Puerto at least seven days after the tournaments,” said Escollante during the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports, Inc. (TOPS) ‘Usapang Sports’ on Thursday at the Rizal Coliseum VIAP Room in Malate, Manila.
The tournament is slated from October 28 to November 4.
With no direct flight to Puerto Princesa, all participating teams used Manila and Cebu City as layovers.
Superpower teams like Russia, Poland, Slovenia, Indonesia, and Germany are all confirmed. They will send a huge delegation to compete in 52 events at stake, particularly in the mixed 10 small boat event.
"Just recently, the ICF announced that the competition in the mixed 10 – six men’s and four women’s – small boat will be used as qualifying for the next year’s World Games. Kaya asahan natin na dito talaga maghahatawan, syempre hindi tayo pahuhuli dyan,” added Escollante in the weekly sports forum sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission and Pocari Sweat.
Escollante said that preparation for the tournament since the ICF awarded the hosting to the Philippines went smoothly due to the full support of Puerto Princesa City Mayor Lucilo Bayron and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
“Kaya naman po at lubos ang aming pasasalamat sa tulong at suportang ibinigay ni Puerto Princesa City Mayor (Lucillo) Bayron. Isa pong malaking tulong sa ating mga atleta at sa programa ng PCKDF na palawigin ang sports sa pagsasagawa ng malalaking torneo na tulad nito,” quipped Escollante.
“Nagpapasalamat din kami syempre sa Philippine Sports Commission, sa Immigration department, Customs at sa Armed Forces of the Philippines na tulong-tulong para mas maging madali ang preparasyon natin sa hosting,” added Escollante.
Aside from the imported equipment – paddle, life best, and boats – which are expected to arrive in Manila on September 21, Escollante said all is well as preparation for the hosting is concerned.
The 40 brand-new boats are certified by the ICF to be used solely in competitions.
“Yung mga luma nating bangka yun ang gagamitin sa training. Eventually, ido-donate natin yung used bancas sa mga LGU’s na nasimulan na rinnating magtayo ng dragon boat community para magamit nila at tuloy-tuloy ikan ga ang production natin ng talents samga lalawigan,” said Escollante.
