Philippine team to defend title in Asian dragonboat

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Dragonboat team aims to retain its supremacy in the coming 2016 Asian Dragonboat Championship in Puerto Princesa City.

The Philippine Canoe Kayak Federation will host the continental meet Nov. 11-12 while the international club crew championship, where at least seven foreign teams have confirmed their participation, is set Nov. 12-13.

“The Philippines is one of the best places to race and paddle,” said PCKF president Jonne Go.

“Our foreign paddlers will feel at home as we want them to experience the Filipino hospitality,” added the executive board member of the Philippine Olympic Committee.

The Filipino paddlers snatched the gold medals for both the 200-meter and 500-meter 10-seater, small boat open category during the continental championships hosted by Palembang, Indonesia late last year.

Led by national coach Len Escollante, they bested the national teams from Chinese Taipei, Iran, Hong Kong, host Indonesia, India, Japan and Thailand, the 2015 Southeast Asian Games traditional boat champion.

“We’re preparing early for us to peak in time for the races. A lot of strong teams will be there,” said Escollante.

The PCKF has partnered with top Puerto Princesa local officials led by Mayor Lucilo Rodriguez Bayron in hosting the Asian championships, also supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and POC.

For the Asian championship, Filipino paddlers will be challenged by national teams from Iran, Japan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, Macau, Korea and Singapore.

Top club teams from Germany, United States, Iran, Japan, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia will participate in the international club crew championship along with local squads from Boracay and PCKF club team members.