PCKDF chief Len Escollante speaks about the country's hosting of the 2024 ICF Dragon Boat World Championship during the PSA Forum on Tuesday.
The Philippine Kayak Canoe Dragon Boat Federation and the City of Puerto Princesa are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the 2024 ICF Dragon Boat World Championships, scheduled for October 28 to November 4, is like no other.
PCKDF president Len Escollante said it is the first time a Southeast Asian country has hosted the global event which will attract competitors from 26 countries with a couple more knocking on doors. The event also serves as qualification for the World Games in China next year.
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“Just the paddlers, we expect more than 1,500. Then we have other delegates. Everyone is excited to come here because they know that besides the competition, there will be other things to do in Puerto Princesa and Palawan,” Escollante said at the Philippine Sports Writers Association (PSA) Forum at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
READ: PH organizes the world dragon boat meeting on the ICF centenary
“This will also be good for our tourism,” Escollante said, adding that the best paddlers will come from important European countries such as the Czech Republic, Hungary, Ukraine and Russia, as well as China from Asia.
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The Philippines will field its best paddlers as they compete in the global event for the first time since 2018, when they won five golds, two silvers and one bronze in Atlanta, Georgia.
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A total of 54 gold medals will be competed for in the 200, 500 and 2,000 meter races. The open national team division offers 18 gold medals, as does the Masters 40+. Then nine golds each will be at stake in those over 50 and in the juniors for boys and girls.
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READ: Local support for PH paddlers while Puerto Princesa hosts the World Cup
Escollante, who thanked Puerto Princesa Mayor Lucindo Bayron and the Philippine Sports Commission for their full support, said that among the countries that will present large delegations are India with 150, Thailand and Iran with 80 each and the country host with 200.
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“Malakas tayo dito because our paddlers are young and in their prime,” Escollane, a former paddler and volleyball player, said at the forum presented by San Miguel Company, the Philippine Sports Commission, the Philippine Olympic Committee, Good /PLDT, MILO and ArenaPlus, the country's 24/7 sports app.
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