THE PHILIPPINES hopes to duplicate its triumphant performance last year when the Asian Dragonboat Championships fires off on Nov. 11 and 12 in Puerto Princesa.
And this time, Filipino paddlers will have the solid backing of the crowd in the event, where they won gold medals in the 200- and 500-meter races in Indonesia last year.
“Although the competition is tough, we have the advantage because it will be held here,” said national head coach Len Escollante of the Philippine Canoe-Kayak Federation.
Escollante said 25 countries have signed up for the meet with Thailand, China and South Korea seeking to unseat the Filipino paddlers.
PCKF president Jonne Go said the competition will serve as the highlight of Puerto Princesa’s annual celebration of the selection of the city’s Underground River as part of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Go said a parallel tournament—the 2016 Puerto Princesa International Club Crew Championships—will be staged simultaneously with the Asian championship