WITH the core of the national squad that saw action in its last edition intact, dragon boat president Leonora Escollante is optimistic the Philippines will be among the top 10 performing countries in the ICF World Dragon Boat Championships opening on Nov. 28 in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
“Except for two new paddlers, 10 members of the squad that competed in the 2018 edition in Gainesville, Georgia are still with us and at their peak,” Escollante, the Philippine Canoe Kayak Dragon Boat Federation president, said yesterday during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the PSC conference room.
The former national coach said the team, led by national team veteran OJ Fuentes, was the same one that bagged five golds and two silvers to clinch overall honors in the 2018 world meet during the public sports program backed by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Smart/PLDT, Milo, and the country’s 24/7 sports app ArenaPlus.
Also back in harness are Mark John Friais, John Lester delos Santos, Oliver Manaig, Reymart Nevado, Lee Robin Santos, Jordan de Guiao, Roger Masbate and John Paul Selencio, among others.
The national team wrapped up its intensive training at its camp in Taytay, Rizal and has been in the Palawan provincial capital since Sept. 26, the PCKDF official said.
“Our aim is still to bag the overall title but I cannot say right now how many medals we can win until we can size up the opposition,” said Escollante, adding the main goal is to qualify for the World Games in Chengdu, China next year by finishing among the top 10 teams in the competition.
She said this will be based on the cumulative times in the senior mixed event in the 10-seater 2,000, 500 and 200-meter races of the dragon boat showcase celebrating the centennial anniversary of the International Canoe Federation.
She said this was the major reason why at least 26 countries and close to 1,500 paddlers will compete in the championships fully supported by the Puerto Princesa City government led by Mayor Lucilo Bayron.
“We are fielding 200 athletes alone while India is sending 160 of their paddlers,” she disclosed.
She said that among the other strong contenders in the meet are the entries from the Czech Republic, Ukraine, Russia and China on top of Southeast Asian bets from Thailand, Myanmar, Indonesia and Cambodia.
“The world meet will also serve us a tune-up for Southeast Asian countries for next year’s 33rd Thailand SEA Games so they have also sent athletes to the event,” Escollante said.
After President Marcos Jr. issued proclamation No. 699 declaring the last week of October as “Moving Forward Paddling Week Philippines,” she is hoping the Chief Executive would grace the opening rites.
“We also expect ICF president Thomas Konietzko of Germany to be with us during the opening day,” Escollante said.
