Council lauds PWD team for winning golds in the US

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City Council has lauded the Philippine Accessible Disability Services (PADS) Dragonboat team for its sterling performance in the recently-concluded 13th International Dragonboat Federation’s Club Crew World Championships in Florida, U.S.A.

The team includes a lone Cebu City resident.

Amidst their disability, hardship in training amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, and scarcity of funds, it was never an excuse for the team to pursue their goals.

Making all sacrifices and support all worth it, the Cebu-based team gathered a total of four golds after dominating the small boat paradragon-1 open, SB/PD2 200-meters, SB/PD-2 2000-meter and the SB/PD-2500-meter race.

In a resolution authored by Councilor Rey Gealon, a deaf paddler, Emma Redita, who is a resident of Sitio San Isidro, Barangay Labangon this city was being highlighted.

Redita and the rest of the team’s latest victory have brought “great esteem and prestige to the City of Cebu and an inspiration to the PWD community”.

Gealon, in an interview, yesterday said that aside from said recognition, he is also pushing for the team to be given an incentive for its latest achievement on the world stage.

“Mao nay isunod nato no nga gawas sa commendation, angayan nga ang ang ato nga syudad mohatag og financial reward ngadto sa mga international athletes nga ni-compete aning mga competition sa gawas,” said Gealon.

Along with this, Gealon said, it is up to the Office of the Mayor as to how much cash incentive will be given to them if such resolution is approved. — GMR (FREEMAN)