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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Marcos backs PH team in 2024 ICF Dragon Boat World Championships

Marcos backs PH team in 2024 ICF Dragon Boat World Championships

Published May 12, 2024 07:23 am

At A Glance

  • Staging the 2024 International Canoe Federation Dragon Boat World Championships on home turf, Team Philippines wants nothing less than to contend fiercely for the overall title by putting its best foot forward against the finest paddlers on the planet.

Staging the 2024 International Canoe Federation Dragon Boat World Championships on home turf, Team Philippines wants nothing less than to contend fiercely for the overall title by putting its best foot forward against the finest paddlers on the planet.

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Presidential son William Vincent “Vinny” Marcos (right) throws his all-out support to the national dragon boat team in the coming 2024 ICF Dragon Boat World Championships in Puerto Princesa City. Joining Marcos, the special assistant to House Speaker Martin Romualdez, are PCKF president Leonora Escollante (center) and skateboarding president Carl Sambrano.

William Vincent ``Vinny’’ Marcos will help ensure that the national dragon boat squad will be on track to make the country proud, throwing his all-out support for the country’s paddlers to perform world-class during the meet from October 28 to November 4 to be hosted by Puerto Princesa City.

Philippine Canoe Kayak Federation president Leonora Escollante confirmed the Presidential son’s backing, specifically the preparation of the national junior squad of at least 36 paddlers based in Mindanao and Calbayog City, Samar.

"Sir Vinny’s help will greatly boost our team’s chances to win more medals in the 2024 ICF Dragon Boat World Championships," said Escollante in expressing gratitude to Marcos, the youngest of the three sons of President Ferdinand ``Bongbong’’ Marcos Jr.

Marcos, appointed as special assistant to House Speaker Martin Romualdez, will monitor the progress of the junior paddlers in the nation’s quest to at least duplicate its feat of capturing a record five gold medals during the 2018 edition of the worlds in Gainesville, Georgia, United States.

"We are hosting the world’s biggest dragon boat meet and we intend to make our kababayans very proud," said Escollante.

At least 20 countries have already confirmed their attendance as the PCKF and host Puerto Princesa City Mayor Lucilo Rodriguez Bayron expect a much bigger turnout compared to the previous editions of the world championships.

With still five months away, the Philippines has already surpassed the participation of 15 countries back in 2022 when Racice, Czech Republic hosted the worlds with the organizers anticipating a much bigger record entry.

Aside from the Philippines, top notch paddlers from Germany, Hungary, Sweden, France, Czech Republic, Canada, Spain and the United States have confirmed attendance.

Dragon boat specialists from India, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Iran, Malaysia, Thailand, Macau, Hong Kong, Myanmar and Cambodia are likewise set to arrive.

An estimated 3,500 paddlers from 35 to 50 countries across the globe are anticipated to see action in the world championships, all of them eager to experience one of the most elite beach destinations on the planet.

Escollante announced that the country would also host for the first time an international technical officiating course two days before the opening of the world championships, providing a rare opportunity for national technical officials to elevate their craft.

"I’m calling all our local technical officials to join this activity. This is a rare chance for them to upgrade as international technical officials," said Escollante.

ICF President Thomas Konietzko recently led a delegation in a successful site visit where they were provided with a rundown of the progress on the preparations of the biggest sports spectacle in the Philippines this year.

"It’s an honor for Puerto Princesa to host an event of this magnitude. This is a significant challenge for us, but once we get started and achieve success, it means that organizing and hosting larger events will become much easier for us," said Bayron.

The PCKDF and the organizing committee together with the ICF, are looking forward to witnessing all national dragon boat teams to race in the 200 meters, 500m and 2000m distances.

The Philippine Canoe and Kayak Federation (PCKF) is the governing body of all paddling sports in the Philippines, which include  canoe and kayak sprints, slalom canoe, stand-up paddling (SUP) outrigger canoe ocean racing and dragon boat.

The PCKF is a regular member of Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), South East Asian Traditional Boat Association, Asian Canoe Confederation (ACC) and the ICF as recognized as such by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

Bayron welcomed Konietzko along with ICF Dragon Boat Commission Chair Dr. Wai-Hung Luk and the rest of the delegation, who were all impressed by Puerto Princesa’s mission to protect the natural environment.

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