PUERTO PRINCESA – After months of intense preparations, the ICF Dragon Boat World Championships unfolds Thursday off the pristine shores of the Puerto Princesa Baywalk with 2,000 participants from a record-breaking 27 countries.
"Puerto Princesa is one of the cleanest cities in the world, so we have a unique site for the world championships where we can write history here together," said International Canoe Federation (ICF) President Thomas Konietzko of Germany on Wednesday during the press launch on the eve of the competition.
"Let us together write history in the next four days, and I am sure we will make a lot of good memories in this beautiful city of Puerto Princesa," said Konietzko, referring to the meeting, which served as a major highlight of the world body's centennial anniversary.
"We are thrilled to host the dragon boat world championships here. It is an honor to welcome the world's best paddling athletes, coaches, and supporters to our shores where we hope that the spirit of unity and sportsmanship can thrive," said Puerto Princesa Mayor Lucilo Bayron.
"I understand that this competition is record-breaking championships in terms of the number of countries and athletes taking part, so we would like to thank the ICF for trusting us with this huge international dragon boat event," he added.
Hong Kong's Wai-hung Luk, head of the ICF Dragon Boat Commission, inspected the course Wednesday and noted that "it comes up to the world standard of our races. We can expect some exciting action in the coming day."
Teams competing in the ICF Dragon Boat World Championships train ahead of the competition, which will be held from Oct. 31 to Nov. 4, 2024, at Puerto Princesa City Baywalk in Palawan.
On the other hand, Philippine Canoe Kayak Dragon Boat Federation President Leonora "Lenlen" Escollante, who was also present at the occasion, thanked both the ICF and Mayor Bayron for making the ICF Dragon Boat World Championships in this picturesque coastal provincial capital of Palawan.
"With the support of President Thomas, Dr. Wai, and Mayor Bayron, hosting this record-breaking event would not be possible," stressed Escollante of the once-in-a-lifetime championships serving as the main qualifying event for the World Games in Chengdu, China, next year.
The cumulative times of the top 10 teams in the 200-meter, 500-meter, and 2,000-meter races in the 10-seater mixed team event will qualify for the World Games where Dragon Boat will debut as a medal sport.
Speaking on behalf of the Philippine paddlers, Escollante, who used to be the national dragon boat head coach, was optimistic the hosts would deliver and clinch a slot to the World Games given the homecourt advantage, and the fact that they have been training here since Sept. 26.
"We are prepared to make it to the top 10. Matagal na po namin napaghandaan ito at alam ng national paddlers lahat kung ano ang nakataya," said national team veteran and team skipper OJ Fuentes.
"These paddlers are ready under all types of conditions. And while I would not like to predict how many medals we will get, I am confident we will make it to the top 10 of the mixed team event and qualify for the World Games," said national coach and former national standout Duchess Francine Co.
