Dragonboat action in Puerto Princesa
I AM happy that I am here in Puerto Princesa in Palawan for the 2024 International Canoe Federation (ICF) Dragon Boat World Championship.
But my wife is certainly not happy because I just returned from GenSan last Monday night for the Mindanao leg of the Indigeneous Peoples Games and now, I am here for another five nights of being away from the house.
She was even telling my kids that our pet cat Denver does not know me anymore. But I told her I left my picture with our cat to make sure he remembers me.
Anyway, the action started, if you can call eating an action, with the welcome dinner Wednesday night at the Princesa Garden Resort Hotel for the guests that included Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Richard Bachmann and Comm. Wawit Torres, and team officials of the 25 delegations competing here with Puerto Princesa Mayor Lucilo Bayron welcoming the visitors to his city.
Local NSA prexy Len Escollante was also short and sweet with her own talk.
The real action started Thursday morning at the baywalk area with again short speeches by the VIP following the equally short parade of the athletes with their flags.
And as Gen. Romeo Brawner, AFP Joint Chief of Staff cited in the message from President BBM that he read, sports indeed has the power to unify.
Countries that are at odds with one another, and I can cite the likes of China, Chinese-Taipei, the United States, even the Philippines, Ukraine and neutral country representative Russia, Iran too, all came here to engage in friendly competitions. No politics involved.
There were close to 3,000 people present, athletes, team and LGU officials and even some family members, plus the local folks who trooped to the venue to watch.
They were not disappointed with the colorful numbers presented by different groups, dragon dance and local cultural dance performers with the opening ceremonies watched on live stream world wide.
For Mayor Bayron, with whom I had a chance to do a short one on one, it was an easy decision for him to accept the hosting job as Puerto Princesa has long been identified with different sports but he described this event as to be remembered for a long time.
A milestone event I would say because it is the first time ever that it was held in Southeast Asia and featured the most number of countries participating.
Nothing new for Puerto Princesa as far as hosting jobs are concerned, in fact this November, the city is hosting again the Batang Pinoy and the BIMP- EAGA, both events are initatives of the PSC.
The Mayor explained that his city is already known for its eco tourism and that was why the LGU has expanded into sports tourism, too.
Thomas Konietzko, President of the International Canoe Federation( ICF), was all praises for the superb organizing job done by Len, who I understand will soon become an adopted daughter of Puerto Princesa.
He also shared the direction for the ICF, that is to expand the sport in Asia, which is why the Philippines got the nod for this year’s hosting job, and he was surprised too that the event delivered a record number of countries.
India alone sent a 140-strong delegation, Thailand and Canada had more than 80 each, of course the Philippines had tge mist, over 200 entres as we fielded entries in practically all the events.
Len to this time says she still finds it unbelievable that the event was happening already saying it was all a dream for her before.
But the best is yet to come.
As I was writing this piece at the hotel after lunch, Len informed me that we already won one gold, one silver and three bronze medals from the first 12 events completed, with more to come.
The fact is, she was not expecting much in the 2000m distance races as we are more competitive in the sprint distances.
PSC Chairman Dickie was also elated when I informed him of the early medal won by our athletes. He was checking out of the hotel already, me I am staying longer, hoping too that I get a chance to meet up with the legendary Butch Chase, a motocross champion in the 70s and 80s.
Good luck to our athletes and kudos to Len for a great job.
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