October 27 ------ The Philippine Canoe Kayak Dragonboat Federation and Puerto Princesa City are leaving no stone unturned making sure the 2024 ICF Dragon Boat World Championships set from October 28 to November 4 will be like no other.
PCKDF president Len Escollante said it’s the first time a Southeast Asian country is hosting the world event that will bring in competitors from 26 countries with a couple more knocking on the doors. The event also serves as qualifying to the World Games in China next year. “The paddlers alone, we expect over 1,500. Then we have other delegates. They are all excited to come here because they know that aside from the competition, there will be other things to do in Puerto Princesa and Palawan.,” said Escollante in the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. “This will also be good for our tourism,” said Escollante, adding that top paddlers from powerhouse countries from Europe like the Czech Republic, Hungary, Ukraine and Russia then China from Asia are coming over.
The Philippines will field its best paddlers as they compete in the world event for the first time since 2018 when they won five golds, two silvers and one bronze in Atlanta, Georgia. A total of 54 gold medals will be disputed in 200m, 500m and 2,000m races. The open national team division offers 18 gold medals like the masters 40-plus. Then nine golds each will be at stake in the 50-plus and juniors for boys and girls.
Source: inquirer.net
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