TEAM PHILIPPINES, OVER ALL CHAMPION SA GINANAP NA 2024 ICF DRAGON BOAT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS SA PUERTO PRINCESA

Nagbunga ang pinagsumikapan at pinaghandaan ng koponan ng Pilipinas matapos na masungkit ang titulong over-all champion sa katatapos lamang na 2024 ICF Dragon Boat World Championships na ginanap sa lungsod ng Puerto Princesa mula noong Oktubre 28 hanggang Nobyembre 3.

Labing-isang ginto, 20 pilak at 8 tanso ang medalyang nakopo ng Team Philippines. Sa ginanap na awarding ceremony, pinangunahan ni Mayor Lucilo R. Bayron ang pag-abot ng mga medalya sa mga kampeon at iba pang kategoryang napanalunan ng ibang kalahok na bansa. Kabilang ang AIN, Bulgaria, Canada, Cambodia, China, Chinese Taipei, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Poland, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Ukraine, USA at Uzbekistan.

Sa Farewell Party kagabi, lubos ang naging pasasalamat at paghanga ng presidente ng Philippine Canoe and Kayak Federation (PCKF) – Ms. Leonora Escollante at presidente ng International Canoe Federation (ICF) – Mr. Thomas Konietzko sa napakahusay na pag-host ng international sporting event. Pinatunayan umano ng pamahalaang panlungsod sa pangunguna ni Mayor Bayron ang world-class na ‘hospitality’ at pag-organisa ng dragon boat racing.

“In behalf of the host and organizing committee, I would like to extend to everyone our heartfelt gratitude to all your support and to all your participation to support our paddling sport. Thank you so much and God bless us all! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas”!, bahagi ng mensahe ni Coach Escollante.

Pasasalamat naman ni President Konietzko, “I can say, that this World Championship here had exceeded our expectations. Thank you, Philippines! Thank you, Mayor Bayron! Thank you, Puerto Princesa!”

Dagdag pa niya, lumagpas pa sa kanilang inaasahan ang tagumpay ng Dragon Boat World Championships dito sa lungsod. “I would like to thank you for extraordinary World Championships, not only the biggest but also one of the best in the history of the International Canoe Federation. We were impressed by the President Marcos speech and especially delighted that he announced in his opening speech, a Presidential Proclamation and declare the first week of October as a “Moving Forward Paddling Week” in the whole Philippines. And for the whole of Puerto Princesa embraced us and watched our competition with enthusiasm, we have probably never more spectators than here”. Bahagi rin ng mensahe ni ICF President Konietzko.

Binigyang-pugay rin ni Mayor Bayron ang lahat ng ‘paddlers’ na lumahok at pagmamahal sa Puerto Princesa.

“We celebrate you as champions not only for your hardwork and incredible teamwork but also for winning new friends capturing the hearts of people of Puerto Princesa”. Ayon kay Mayor Bayron.

Sa huli, ipinagmalaki ng alkalde ang panibagong kwento na magiging bahagi ng malaking kasaysayan sa mundo sa larangan ng 2024 ICF Dragon Boat World Championships.

“As we come together to conclude this very successful event according to most of you. I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made this possible. To the ICF officials, to the Philippine Canoe and Kayak Federation officials, to the participating athletes, teams, coachers, organizers, the technical officials and supporters who have brought this event to life in the city of Puerto Princesa. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to all of you. Thank you, President Thomas Konietzko for trusting us and for giving Puerto Princesa this opportunity. We are deeply honored that Puerto Princesa, Philippines was chosen to host the first ever Dragon Boat World Championships held in Southeast Asian countries. We feel an extra sense of pride knowing that this championship had the highest number of participating countries, the highest number of participating athletes and the most number of cheering spectators.”

Gaganapin ang 2026 IFC Dragon Boat World Championships sa bansang Canada.