Nat’l dragonboat, canoe berths at stake

SLOTS to the national pool will be up for grabs when the dragonboat and canoe-kayak competitions of the 2nd Philippine Sports Commission (PSC)-Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) National Games are staged June 1 to 3 at Lake Caliraya in Laguna.

According to Philippine Canoe Kayak Federation Inc. (PCKF) president Dr. Sim Chi Tat, the competitions are open to all dragonboat and canoe-kayak enthusiasts, regardless of affiliation or age.

Top performers in the games could clinch national team slots to the Third Asian Beach Games in Haiyang, China, set June 16 to 22.

The  merging of canoe-kayak and dragonboat athletes has been a success after the national dragonboat teams garnered one gold, two silver and two bronze medals in last year’s Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia.

The kayak events in Caliraya include  200m and 500m in men’s and women’s sprint single, touring single and touring double; while the canoe events are the 200m and 500m in men’s and women’s sprint single.

For dragonboat, events will be in the 200m and 500m for men’s 20 crew, women’s 10 crew and 20 mixed crew.

The competitions will be governed by the world’s governing body for the sports, the International Canoe Federation.  Registration can be made through www.png.psc.gov.ph or call 09052245498, 09063261238 and 2431357 or email  [email protected].